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GARDEN

WALK Kosciusko County Master Gardeners lead a hands-on lesson in the Gardens of Central Park in Warsaw, demonstrating planting techniques and sharing seasonal growing tips with community members.

Master Gardeners.

Master Gardeners cultivate more than plants in Elkhart, Kosciusko

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer

From tomato seedlings in the hands of fourth graders to answering late-season lawn questions, Purdue Extension Master Gardeners in Elkhart and Kosciusko counties are tending to more than backyard plots.

They are cultivating community knowledge, one question at a time.

Kosciusko County’s program includes 43 active members, with at least 10 new participants completing training each year, according to information provided by Purdue Extension Educator Emily Kresca.

Volunteers complete a 16week course covering plant science, soil health, vegetable and ornamental gardening and more, followed by an open-book exam and supervised volunteer work.

To remain active, members log annual volunteer and continuing education hours.

For many, the journey begins

with a simple love of growing things.

Sally Hoy, who joined the Kosciusko County program in 2018, said gardening has been part of her life since childhood on an Ohio farm.

“We were always involved with gardening with my family,” she said. “We shared with neighbors and friends and church people.”

Hoy said the training deepened her understanding of gardening and shifted her approach.

She now focuses more on natural processes and reducing chemical use, as well as avoiding invasive species that can crowd out native plants.

In Elkhart County, Master Gardeners support local efforts through education, one-of-a-kind Quilt Gardens along the Heritage Trail, a community garden at the Elkhart Municipal Airport and public events such as the annual Garden Expo and Garden Tour. The airport garden, started in 2001, has donated more than 15,000 pounds of food since its inception.

The Michiana Master Gar-

deners Association’s seventh annual Garden Expo, themed “Think Spring,” is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at Faith United Church in Elkhart. The event features speakers, workshops and vendors and is open to

the public. Master Gardener Steve Koontz, who has volunteered for about a decade, said community education is one of his favorite parts of the program. Continued on page 2

Photo provided by Kosciusko County

TAKING ROOT Kathleen Cripe assists students from Mary Daly Elementary as they use egg cartons to start seeds for their garden. Photo provided by Michiana Master Gardeners.

Elkhart fine dining: Jeanne Kern

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer

At The Vine in downtown Elkhart, guests can come in to enjoy the selection of menu items at the bistro-style restaurant on South Main Street. A dining experience dedicated to fine food, drinks and frivolity according to their tagline, The Vine has been serving the Elkhart area since 2016. Front of House Manager and proprietress of The Vine, Jeanne Kern, took ownership of the restaurant in 2016. At 61, Kern has over 20 years of fine dining experience, on top of a six-year career in banking.

According to Kern, when she took ownership of the restaurant 10 years ago, she knew she wanted to keep the name, but there was a lot of work to be done to get it to where it is today. Between deciding what the style of the restaurant was going to be, along with developing an order of operations, The Vine needed a 180-degree turnaround. Though there were a lot of things that needed to be changed, one thing Kern said was significant about the restaurant was that its turnover rate is very low.

Originally, when buying, Kern said she thought they were going to have to fire everybody. But after several weeks of interacting with staff and having one-on- ones with the team, she said she had to stick with the team that came with The Vine.

“They were going to Goodwill and buying dishes, just so they had plates to put out dinner on. Glassware, silverware. I mean, you name it. You wouldn’t believe how much stuff I got out of this building when we bought it,” Kern said. “Because they rarely had what they needed to conduct

service. So, I started doing one- on-ones with all those team members, and I’m like, I’m not firing anybody. They’re just trying to keep the place together when their owner lives in another state. So that’s when job one became being a good employer.”

With low turnover rates, Kern said this allows for the synergy at the front of the house to maintain a smooth operation. Having hired an executive chef trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Kern said she focuses on the front and trusts everything in the kitchen to the chef.

Despite years of restaurant experience, Kern said the idea of operating a restaurant like The Vine was not something she could have imagined. Born in Ohio and raised in Elkhart, Kern said she considers herself a native, with 59 years spent in the city. Starting with waiting tables in her late 20s after having her second child, she spent 20 years waitressing before moving on to management at the restaurant she worked at before she and her husband acquired The Vine.

“I started waiting tables when I was 27 or 28 years old, my husband wanted me to stay home and raise our children, and so I did that. I gave up a six-year career in banking to be a stay at home mom, which was, again, not something I thought I’d be good at. So, into the second child, I just needed to get out of the house a little bit. So I started waiting tables, and I did that for over 20 years. The last restaurant I worked at, ... I managed there at a bit, and then... things have happened, and here we are,” Kern said. “So, we’re 10 years in. I think my banking experience, and my serving experience, were good tools to make it successful here.”

GROWING KNOWLEDGE Through training sessions, workshops and public outreach, Master Gardeners study plant science, soil health and sustainable practices while teaching residents how to care for flowers, vegetables and native landscapes. Photo provided by Kosciusko County Master Gardeners.

Master GARDENERS

Continued from page 1

“You really can’t fail at it, because you always learn something from it,” he said of gardening. He encourages beginners to simply try planting seeds and see what happens

Common questions from

the public range from tomato troubles to lawn care and pest control. Hoy said concerns about rabbits, insects and moles are frequent topics at county fairs and outreach booths.

The programs also reflect broader trends in gardening. Hoy has seen growing interest in aquaponics and indoor gardening, as well as cover crops that improve soil health. She also noted partnerships aimed at reducing fertilizer runoff into local lakes and streams.

Sixteen-year Master Gardener

Pardee Gunter says he’s noticed an uptick in gardening interest during his tenure.

“During fair week, we may talk to three or four hundred people, about gardening, and that number has steadily increased over the years,” Gunter said.

Both counties offer free monthly educational programs open to the public, providing an entry point for those curious about the program.

For those unsure about committing to the full certification process, Hoy suggests attending a meeting or community workshop first. “Just see if you like it,” she said.

For many volunteers, the appeal lies as much in fellowship as in gardening. The work may start with seeds and soil, but it grows into shared learning, stronger neighborhoods and, often, lifelong friendships.

CREATING A LEGACY Jeanne Kern smiles for the camera at The Vine restaurant in downtown Elkhart. Kern and her husband have owned The Vine for 10 years. Photo by Anika Yoder.

Avoid potential headaches with a proper estate plan

Historically, wealth is squandered within three generations because families deal with real-life issues such as these:

• Lawsuits

• Divorce

• Bankruptcy

• Nursing home expense

• Family disputes

Any one of these occurrences can hit home and wipe out an entire inheritance in just one generation! Plan now for both the financial and non-financial components of passing your legacy to the next generation.

You and your surviving family members, will have a number of burdens and fears put to rest if your legacy can be planned with some of these potential stumbling blocks in mind:

If your surviving spouse gets remarried, your children’s inheritance can be lost and other common

mistakes made with blended families. In the event your surviving spouse remarries, a new set of pitfalls can arise that could have your hardearned assets going to the new spouse instead of your children and future beneficiaries.

How your beneficiaries can fall victim to divorces (“ex” in-laws), lawsuits or inexperienced financial decisions. Most people give their assets outright to their heirs when they and their spouse are gone … this is a huge mistake!

This type of planning almost always fails to protect your loved ones from these real-life occurrences.

How your family can be torn apart over something as seemingly minor as “Who gets grandmother’s quilt.”

The biggest fights in families aren’t about money, stocks, or real estate. They are about the

A very smart idea

More than 98% of teenagers own a cell phone. Most teens admit the first thing they do in the morning is check their mobile phones. It must be nice to have a strong bladder.

NUTSHELL

By DICK WOLFSIE

Cell phone companies are now targeting the older demographic, a group in which a few people are still resistant to this technology. Here’s a sales call that might take place between an account representative (AR) and somebody’s grandmother (SG), who remains a little skeptical of the whole idea.

AR: Hello, Mrs. Smith, my name is Joe. I’m calling to see if we can interest you in a new mobile phone. How has your present phone been working out for you?

SG: For 80 years, I’ve dialed and someone answered. If my phone rang, I answered it. Can you improve on that?

AR: We’d like to introduce you to something different. It’s called a smartphone.

SG: Are you there? You keep cutting out. What’s so smart about your phone?

AR: You can carry it with you wherever you go.

SG: It must have a very long cord. What if I go shopping?

AR: That’s the beauty of it; you don’t need a cord.

SG: No cord? You could lose a phone that way.

AR: If you misplace it at home, you can call your cell phone with your landline and hear it ring.

SG: Wait a second - you want me to buy your phone, but still keep my phone so I can use it to find your phone? This is not a great marketing plan. Where does the power to run the phone come from?

AR: The phone has a battery,

By CLIFFORD J. RICE Elder Law Attorney Granger, Indiana

little things that hold memories and most traditional estate plans fail to protect and pass on these valuable items. Most families also find it important to preserve the wisdom, life lessons and history of the family. Traditional estate planning does not address these non-financial assets. Having a proper estate plan will help you to avoid your own potential hidden headaches by helping you protect your family and your legacy.

Our goal is to make sure you have all the information you need to ensure that none of these life-wrenching events

happen to you or your family. Since our practice focuses exclusively on elder law and estate planning, it is our priority to be on top of the continuous changes in the law and techniques we can make available to you. Learn more about the benefits and protections of an estate plan by attending our Estate Planning/ Medicaid Planning seminar at: 6 p.m. Monday, March 2, or March 9, at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, 902 E. University Drive, Granger.

Reservations required, seating is limited! Call now: (800) 303-7423, or visit riceandrice. com.

Culp for sheriff

By BENJAMIN ROGERS, Campaign Media

and you plug it into the wall to recharge it.

SG: Wait, I thought you didn’t need a cord. Hello, are you there? I keep losing you.

AR: Sorry … the phone’s battery has to be charged or the device won’t work.

SG: I have a flashlight like that. Your phone should be smarter than my flashlight. What else can it do?

AR: You can pick up the phone and say something like, “Siri, call my grandson.”

SG: My grandson has one of your phones. Haven’t heard from him in a week.

AR: Look, here’s the big advantage. Anywhere you are, your friends can call you.

SG: How do they know where I am? That sounds creepy.

AR: Here’s another advantage. In the car, the smartphone can give directions.

SG: You don’t have a wife to do this? I have a lovely single granddaughter …

AR: Madam, would you be willing to try the new phone?

SG: Well, let me think about it. What brand is your phone?

AR: We call it an iPhone.

SG: What does the “i” stand for?

AR: Uh, I’m not sure. No one has ever asked me that before. I feel like an idiot.

SG: Now we know what the “i” stands for.

Born and raised just south of New Paris, Captain Mike Culp is a lifelong resident of Elkhart County and has dedicated himself to serving our community through the sheriff’s office. He seeks the office of elected sheriff in the 2026 election as a Republican candidate.

A graduate of Fairfield Jr. / Sr. High School, Mike earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice and criminology from Ball State University. Hired by the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol officer in March 2004, he has served as a patrol officer, corporal, and sergeant. During this time, he also served as an operator on the Emergency Services Unit (now a part of Elkhart County Regional SWAT) as a precision

MICHAEL CULP

marksman, perimeter element leader, and later as the overall tactical team commander.

In 2011, Culp was promoted to patrol captain. As patrol, Culp oversaw the entire patrol

Beware sweaty sweats

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

A sweaty athletic jersey is a favorite hangout for some pretty unathletic and unfriendly bacteria and viruses that can grow quickly and possibly become a source of illness.

Family doctors recommend senior athletes change and shower immediately after a game or workout.

The moist, warm clothes worn after a workout are a prime breeding ground for germs, say doctors. Exercise and working out are definitely

part of a healthful lifestyle, so continue to exercise - and change clothes when you’re done.

division, the first point of police contact for the majority of Elkhart County’s 200,000 residents. In 2019, he transferred to administrative services captain at the request of current Sheriff Jeff Siegel, to oversee the day-to-day operations of the administrative services division and serve as the agency’s public information officer.

A lifelong Republican, Culp is dedicated to upholding conservative, constitutional values and ensuring the sheriff’s office serves and protects the rights of all individuals. Treating others with honor and respect is critical to the mission of the sheriff.

Culp has been married to his wife, Angela, for 24 years. They have three children. Phillip, who is an active-duty corporal in the United States Army, Makayla, who participates in U.S. Army ROTC at Ball State University School of Nursing, and Madelyn, who also participates in U.S. Army ROTC at Ball State University, and is also pursuing a degree in nursing. They attend Nappanee Missionary Church. Learn more about Culp at MikeCulpforSheriff.com.

Take the red out of red-eye flights

By IGOR LOBANOV Mature Life Features

A traditional way to save money on air travel is to go when others prefer not to.

As airlines struggle to fill their seats in a rocky economy, their Web sites, and those of the discount travel providers, offer tempting rates. That often means taking a “red eye.”

Before you dismiss those rates as not worth the discomfort and sleepless hours you expect to endure, consider a number of

steps you can take to boost your chances of getting at least a few hours of slumber. Begin by asking for a window seat near the front of the aircraft. By being in the forward part of the cabin you’ll have less engine noise and less turbulence. You can then curl up against the cabin wall and, if you take an inflatable neck pillow, keep your head supported enough to avoid neck strain. You can also control the window shade and keep out the sunlight that can arrive ohso-early when you’re flying east.

CORPORATE OFFICE

Make sure you get a seat that reclines. Seats directly in front of an emergency exit row and in the last row in the cabin usually do not tilt back.

Take your own pillow if possible. Your head will rest easier on that familiar cushiony object. Carry a small handkerchief that you can moisten when you’re ready for sleep and place over your nose and mouth to combat the pressurized cabin’s low humidity.

Traveling with another person - a friend, spouse, or grandchildgives you more leeway in the limited space. You can lean against one another or extend your feet under the seat in front of him or her. If traveling with a child, take the window seat and let the youngster lean against you.

When you’re ready to sleep, pull your small carry-on bag out from under the seat to use as a foot rest. Loosen any tight-fitting

clothing, doff your shoes, and don a pair of comfortable socks. Turn sideways and try to get as close to horizontal as space will allow. Loosen your seatbelt, but keep it fastened over your hips, in the event the plane encounters turbulence.

Avoid coffee and alcoholic beverages, both of which can make sleep more difficult. If you do eat, either before the flight or on board, stress carbohydrate foods over protein and fat dishes. The former makes you sleepy, while the latter promote wakefulness. Fruit juices and water are the best drinks to prevent becoming dehydrated in the dry cabin air.

Put a blanket or other item of clothing around your lower legs to keep out the cool air circulating along the base of the cabin wall. Slip on an eye mask with “Do Not Disturb”on a taped piece of paper. Try to go to sleep as soon as the flight is airborne.

If you’re changing planes in the middle of the night, select a seat in the terminal near the gate for the next flight. Place the handle of your carry-on on your wrist, or wrap the bag’s strap around it, so that if you doze off, you won’t leave your bag behind as you rise sleepily to board the flight.

When you arrive at your destination, if you’re traveling east, try to get some bright light or sun to tell your body it’s time to be awake. You should have reset your watch to the time at the destination. If it now shows it is time for breakfast, get something to eat, perhaps a cup of coffee. That process will help your body start to adjust to the new time zone.

If you’re headed west and it’s very early morning when you arrive, go straight to your hotel and try to get some sleep.

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“I have a personal connection to March Madness. My son is in Kansas City; he works with CBS sports as a video engineer, which includes the Big Four. I’m rooting for IU, but I don’t think they’ll make it. I do know I’ll root for a Big 10 team.”

“The Boilermakers!”

Dan King stays true to his ‘routes’

By MAKSYM HART Staff Writer

For Dan King, a life of service did not end when he retired from the U.S. Postal Service. It simply took a new shape.

King, a former Warsaw postmaster and longtime postal supervisor, spent decades helping customers and carriers navigate everything from snowstorms to surges in online shopping.

Today, he channels that same steady commitment into building beds for children in need through Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

“I was always service-oriented,” King said. “Whatever I could do to help my customers, I didn’t care about anything else.”

King’s path began in the Air Force, where he served six years, including time in Alaska during the winter of 1977-78. After his service, he applied to the post office in 1985, using veteran points to secure a position as a letter carrier in Fort Wayne. Within a few years, a knee injury pushed him into management, where he discovered a

talent for organization and leadership.

In 1990, he transferred to Warsaw, where he would spend the majority of his career. He later served as postmaster from 2006 until his retirement in 2021.

Over the decades, King witnessed dramatic changes in mail delivery. When he started, carriers manually sorted letters by the foot each morning. By the mid-1990s, automation transformed operations.

What once meant about 30 packages per route swelled to 60 or 90 a day as Amazon and online retailers expanded.

During the pandemic, King said February volumes felt like Christmas and stayed that way for nearly two years.

He also takes pride in helping establish Warsaw’s 46582 ZIP code, working with Indianapolis officials to divide routes along natural boundaries to accommodate growth.

Yet for King, the most rewarding moments came one customer at a time. He recalls tracking down a postcard addressed with only a first name and ZIP+4 code, using his knowledge of postal block

systems to determine the correct home.

“That was really cool,” he said of those problem-solving moments.

Retirement brought relief from stress and improved health, but not idleness. In 2024, a fellow Scout leader knocked on his door and introduced him to Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The nonprofit builds and delivers beds to children who otherwise sleep on floors, couches or shared mattresses.

In just two years, the local chapter has built hundreds of beds across Kosciusko and Elkhart counties. Volunteers gather for builds, cutting and assembling simple but sturdy wooden frames. King oversees branding each headboard with the organization’s logo and helps troubleshoot construction questions.

One of his favorite memories includes a 103-yearold volunteer who carefully stepped forward to brand a headboard, grinning afterward. Another involved a grandmother who suddenly gained custody of six grandchildren; the team delivered beds within days.

“We need a bed,” King said,

summarizing the group’s mission.

Never too early or late to claim Social Security

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

There’s a growing consensus that says you take your Social Security benefits as early as possible and invest that money in

faster-growing financial vehicles. While there’s long been a solid school behind taking Social Security benefits as soon as you qualify, you don’t have to take your benefits as soon as you qualify at age 62. To sway you

Another senior scam

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Crooks have been focusing on health fairs that are increasing in popularity among the growing seniors crowd.

Scammers offer free genetic screening. All they need, they say, is a cheek swab and your Medicare number to pay for the screening.

The crooks then bill Medicare several thousands of dollars which it normally rejects and the person being screened is billed.

If you feel you could use or

would benefit from genetic screening, discuss the matter with your family doctor.

into thinking you might delay claiming these benefits until age 70, the federal government offers an incentive that sounds pretty attractive: it will increase your payments 8% for each year you wait.

For example, if you wait until age 68 to claim Social Security, your checks would be 19.5% higher than they would be if you took your benefits at 65. By waiting until age 70, your monthly income will be more than 30% higher.

It’s easy! Simply find the ‘Clock’ on another page in this edition. Go online to www.SeniorLifeNewspapers.com and enter your information, the edition, date and page number you found it on. This will enter you for a chance to win a gift of $25. (Online Entries Only) Entries Must Be In By Monday, February 9, 2026. Brought To You By

However, proponents of claiming benefits as soon as you qualify argue that you can make more by investing your Social Security checks in the stockand-bond markets. More than half of Social Security recipients claim their benefits at 62, the earliest possible age, despite the fact that this slices 20% off the total lifetime benefits they will get.

About 8% of recipients wait until they’re 70.

When he isn’t building beds, King sings in a barbershop quartet and keeps an eye on the northern lights.

Having once watched the aurora dance above Alaska’s Arctic skies, he now alerts friends when it appears in Indiana.

He has visited 49 states and hopes to check Hawaii off his bucket list soon. But his heart remains rooted in service close to home.

“If you feel called,” King said of volunteering, “write a chapter and get involved.”

For a man who built a career delivering mail, helping deliver a good night’s sleep may be his most meaningful route yet.

206 S. Main St. Milford, Indiana 46542

The winner of the I Spy Contest for February is Darlene Hill from Nappanee. The ‘Groundhog’ was located on page 12 in Senior Life Allen; page 4 in Senior Life Northwest; page 21 in Senior Life Elko and page 15 in Senior Life St. Joseph.

FROM BULK MAIL TO BEDFRAMES Dan King, a retired Warsaw postmaster, now volunteers with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit that builds and delivers beds for children in need across Kosciusko and Elkhart counties. Photo provided by Dan King.

Faith Tammy Hill loves to serve the church

By LAURIE LECHLITNER Staff Writer

“I enjoy serving in church,” stated Tammy Hill, Wakarusa. “When I go to church, I always look for spots where I can assist or help others. I enjoy working with young people and mentoring others who are seeking to walk with Jesus.” Hill attends Nappanee Missionary Church.

Her family history and faith journey are quite unique. “My parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were of Dutch descent living in Indonesia. Since the men married local girls, my heritage is Dutch/ Indonesian. During World War II, because they were Dutch, my grandfather was put in a prison camp by the Japanese and my grandmother and her children were sent to an internment camp. I remember hearing my mother say that at age 14 she assisted the nuns with washing the bodies of the women and children who died in the camp.”

While there, her family was part of the Protestant Dutch Reformed Church. “After my parents got married, had four children and moved to the Netherlands, I spent the first eight years of my life there

before immigrating to the USA. We attended Emmanuel Church in Groningen.”

Hill’s father had relatives living in Elkhart. “We moved there to be close to them. But my mother never felt like she quite fit into the American church but she always made Jesus very real in our household.”

It wasn’t until Hill became an adult that she began attending Dunlap United Methodist Church. “In 1992, when I started attending church there, I began learning more about the Bible stories. I wanted to become involved. So, I pitched in to help wherever needed and one activity was the handbell choir.”

In December 1999, Hill’s father died. “I was devastated. We needed pallbearers. I was dating my future husband, Bruce, at the time. He agreed to be a pallbearer and my mother, who is usually quite cautious in warming up to people, liked him right away.”

Bruce stayed at Dunlap United Methodist Church and became active in service, too. He and Tammy became youth directors. “We were involved in that capacity for 15 years. I directed the Children’s Choir for four years.”

Tammy has one son, Trenton, and Bruce has three children, Derek, Lauren and Jared. “My son, Trenton, has some learning challenges. So, I have a soft spot in my heart for people who struggle in any aspect of their lives. Jesus loves them all.”

After the Methodist Church experienced a transition in the denomination, the Hills followed their beloved retired Methodist pastor to Nappanee Missionary Church. “Bruce and I love the fact that Nappanee Missionary Church offers solid biblical teaching.” Tammy is part of the choir there. She also mentors a young person and is very active in her Sunday school class filled with senior citizens.”

She continued, “It’s interesting. I never thought I’d enjoy a church that big. But I’m amazed at their mission outreach. I’m also challenged to serve in many different capacities. I remember the words of a wise woman in my past, saying: ‘When we go to church, we put on bibs to be fed. But when we leave, we need to put on aprons so we can serve.’”

Hill’s life’s verse is from James 1:19. She quotes, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

Hamburger Stroganoff w/ Mushrooms Over Pasta California Blend Veg. Dinner Roll/Marg. Clementine Sausage, Green Bean & Red Potato Casserole Tomato & Zucchini Blend Dinner Roll/Marg. Warm Spiced Apples

& Zucchini Blend Dinner Roll/Marg. Warm Spiced Apples

Turkey Manhattan over Bread

Chicken

Bruschetta Chicken Roasted Root Vegetables Green Beans Bread/Marg. Peach Cup

Roasted Root Vegetables Green Beans Bread/Marg. Peach Cup

Banana

Turkey Manhattan over Bread Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Green Beans Strawberry Applesauce

Mashed Potatoes & Gravy Green Beans Strawberry Applesauce

Ziti w/ Italian Sausage Italian Blend Vegetable Texas Toast Warm Spiced Peaches

Beef Stew Rice Broccoli Bread/Marg. Pineapple Cup

Special Holiday Meal

Lemon Herb Chicken Red Skinned Potatoes Asparagus Bread/Marg. Nutty Buddy

Polish Sausage on a Bun Mashed Potatoes Sauerkraut Warm Spiced Apples

BBQ Riblette Sweet Potatoes Cooked Cabbage Cornbread Peach Dump Cake

Stuffed Pepper Soup Cauliflower

Dinner Roll/Marg. Peaches

Chicken Chipotle Bowl Spanish Rice Corn & Black Beans Tortilla Chips Pear Cup

Chicken Chipotle Bowl

Spanish Rice Corn & Black Beans

Tortilla Chips Pear

Country Fried

Country Fried Steak w/Gravy Mashed Potatoes Green Beans, Bread/Marg. Jello Cup

w/Gravy Mashed Potatoes Green Beans, Bread/Marg. Jello Cup

Chicken, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole Carrots

Dinner Roll/Marg. Oreos

Spaghetti w/Meat Sauce Italian Blend Vegetable

Texas Toast Tropical Fruit

Hamburger on a Bun Red Skinned Potatoes

Hamburger on a Bun Red Skinned Potatoes Stewed Tomatoes Jello w/Fruit

Stewed Tomatoes Jello w/Fruit

Maple Must. Glazed Pork Sweet Potatoes Brussels Sprouts Bread/Marg. Fruit Compote

Fish Sandwich Tarter Sauce Creamed Corn Side Salad Cinnamon Applesauce

Fish Sandwich Tarter Sauce Creamed

Chicken Un-Kabob with Peppers, Onions & Tomatoes Rice

Dinner Roll/Marg. Pudding Cup

Your donation counts. Every donation makes a difference. We serve over 160,000 meals each year to seniors!

Chili w/Beans Baby Bakers Broccoli Crackers Mandarin Orange Cup

Your donation counts. Every donation makes a difference. We serve over 160,000 meals each year to seniors!

All donations directly support this program. Please donate what you comfortably afford. Thank you!

All donations directly support this program. Please donate what you can comfortably afford. Thank you!

Sloppy Joe On a Bun Baked Beans Garden Salad

Tuna Casserole Peas Carrots Dinner Roll/ Marg. Pudding Cup

Tuna Casserole Peas

Carrots Dinner Roll/ Marg. Pudding Cup

AT YOUR SERVICE Tammy Hill, Wakarusa, loves all people. Her greatest gift is that of service in her church and beyond. She has a rich family history and adores her Lord Jesus. Photo provided by Tammy Hill.

Financial planning less painful than root canal

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

If you think preparing and maintaining a financial plan is akin to visiting your dentist, you’re in a big club.

Some 80% of Americans hate or only do financial planning because they have to - like cleaning the garage or the toilet bowl - according to a nationwide survey of 1,000 adults.

More than half said they don’t feel confident about making good decisions, don’t understand numbers, or are afraid of what they might find if they examine their financial picture too closely.

However, rather than shut down your economic engine, financial experts suggest you prepare for your financial future in the same way you would get set for a cross-coun-

try trip. Just as you wouldn’t leave on such a trip without a road map, you should prepare and maintain a household budget to track daily spending, saving and investing - and a financial plan to map out longterm financial goals.

About half of Americans maintain a household budget and only slightly more balance their checkbooks monthly. Twothirds have never worked with

Investment talent affects Social Security

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Your favorite rich uncle gives you a couple of hundred bucks a month and tells you to invest it.

Would you make money?

That’s the question you, along with millions of other Americans, have to ask yourself when you consider your Social Security status.

The yowls about losing retirement-income money by leaving it in the government’s Social Security hands weren’t quite as insistent when the Dow, Standard and Poors and other economic indexes plummeted during the economic downturns.

Greed suddenly turns to

guarded when one considers they can lose their shirt in the stock market. That means you could lose your retirement fund if you were investing it yourself.

Those who argue that retirement funds should be protected point to the massive meltdown at Enron a quarter century ago, where more than 60% of employee retirement assets in 401(k) personal-retirement plans were tied up in the company’s stock. That represented about $1 billion (about $1.75 billion today) that went up in smoke when the company crumbled.

Those who support change pick an irritating scab: the

forecast that an unchanged Social Security system will be out of reserves in a half dozen years. Bracing their position is the forecast that the system’s income will be lower than its outgo.

The root of this problem is easy to see. In the mid-20th century, there were 16 workers contributing to Social Security for every retiree collecting benefits. Remember, money paid into Social Security today goes to today’s recipients, it does not go into any fund for those making the payments.

The current ratio is less than three workers supporting every retiree.

Jettison your junk

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

It’s become increasingly clear that no one besides yourself cares about all those photos you have marking such momentous occasions in your life

Save on socializing

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Partying into the wee hours of the morning are the events of long ago for most seniors as they become accustomed to bedtimes shortly after the evening news.

Hosting night-time festivities for friends and family decreases as a result, so why not invite everyone over for Sunday - or Saturday - brunch? Or Tuesday or Thursday afternoon tea?

You’re likely to get a better response since everyone will be able to drive home in daylight.

And you’ll probably save money on the food and refreshments since your guests will likely down less wine with the array of less-expensive finger-food you prepare for them.

as birthdays, vacations, anniversaries, new jobs and visits to landmarks around the world.

The same goes for those awards and certificates you finally took off the shelves and wall of your office or den a few years ago.

So dump them. You can scan them into your computer or onto a thumb drive if you still want to save them, but then dump the cluttering originals.

While you’re in this mode, start looking at your other stuff.

You’ve moved to a year-around-comfortable-climate, so why do you still have that protection-against-sub-zero-weather goose-down coat? Get rid of it. Along with the skis and ski boots you thought you might use one day.

Then there are the half dozen sweaters packed into the back of the drawer that you haven’t worn for more than a decade.

Decluttering may not be easy, but it’s simple. Get rid of anything you don’t use.

a financial planner.

We hire plumbers, electricians and auto mechanics to handle complicated repair problems - yet Americans avoid seeking financial professionals to help with their finances.

Survey results revealed almost 20% percent of respondents never learned how to do financial planning. Less than 5% took a course or seminar on the subject. The remainder said they learned about financial planning on their own by watching their parents or television, reading books and magazine articles, or from a friend or sibling.

It often takes a serious life-altering event - such as a job loss, having a baby, winning a lottery, or sending the children to college - to make people focus on their finances.

While many Americans try to save money, they sabotage

their efforts with too much debt and not investing in the best financial vehicles.

Almost a quarter of the survey respondents admitted they had too much credit-card debt, and about 10% are not putting anything away for retirement despite the fact that more than half admitted they’ll need at least $1 million for retirement.

About a third of households save money, whether it’s in coins or dollars or in a cookie jar at home - about the same amount that invest in stocks.

To curb the amount spent, nine out of 10 respondents said they cut coupons, and 60% buy items only when they’re on sale.

What do they spend their money on? The number-one financial pleasure is eating out, followed by purchasing holiday gifts and splurging on clothes.

Camela Corona keeps on her feet with boxing

By ANIKA YODER Feature Writer

Staying active and focusing on mobility for those heading towards their senior years can be important for many reasons, independence being one of them. For Camelia Corona, being able to take care of herself later in life is a large part of her decision to take up boxing.

Though boxing is not a common activity for area seniors, Corona said her daughter suggested they both try a class at Michiana Boxing and Fitness. A bi-weekly class focused on teaching the basics of boxing to women interested in learning more about the sport, Corona said after some convincing she thought she would give it a shot.

“I thought to myself, ‘You know what? I’m going to give boxing a try,’” Corona said. “I thought I’m older and I thought that would be like a sport for younger kids. Then I thought, ‘Well, let me go try and see, see how it works.’ And I loved it. The reason why I keep coming back is because it’s a really good workout in an hour, but it’s fun.

Corona works as a parent liaison at Roosevelt STEAM Academy in Elkhart. Though she has worked in the Elkhart Community Schools system for 20 years, Corona was born in Mexico and grew up in California. After getting married to her husband of 40 years in her early 20s and having two children, Corona said she decided to go back to school to achieve her master’s degree.

A motivator for taking boxing classes is not just the physical workout, but the group aspect, according to Corona. Working with women of different ages who can provide listening ears for each other is a helpful part of the process to relieve stress, according to Corona, that the

class contributes to participants well-being.

“It’s a group of women. And it’s all ages. And I think I’m the older one there. And I can keep up with the younger ones too. And so that has been an inspiration to me. Because I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m with this,’ I could still keep up,” Corona said. “And so my goal is to keep on doing something. Some exercise, but something that I like and I enjoy, and this is what I liked and enjoy.”

Exercise and gaining muscle and flexibility are also components of the course Corona said can help her maintain physical autonomy. At 60, Corona said with times being different from those of her and her parents’ generations, she wants to be able to take care of herself into her later years. With her father having passed two years ago, Corona said she thinks about her mother, who still lives in California, is cared for by her sisters. Being able to have taken care of her parents, Corona said, is something she values but that in uncertain times she can not be sure about her children being able to do the same as times continue to change.

“My grandma’s generation, we were able to take care of them. My mom’s and my dad’s right now, we still have that mindset of it’s our responsibility to take care of elders. ...” Corona said. “So, those are the things that I value and so I don’t know about my kids, if they will be able to. Sometimes you want to, but you’re not able to. ... I want to be able to take care of myself until the end, you know? And I hope God hears me.”

On top of the stress relief, Corona said what she enjoys most about boxing, despite not enjoying watching the sport herself, is even with the class being a good workout, accommodations are offered for the

exercises, and the supportive group environment keeps her going back. Aiming to increase flexibility is a goal Corona said she works on in the class and being able to keep her arms

and legs moving allows her to let go.

“It’s a lot of fun. I enjoy it because, like I said, there’s guys but it’s mostly women. And so, we praise each other. We raise

each other up, you know? We do generally care about what’s going on with somebody,” Corona said. “I said, ‘You know what? I’m your ear, you know?’ It’s a, like, a little community.”

Low-carb, high-protein diets increase kidney-stone risk

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

It’s always a good idea to watch what you eat - and it may be even more important to pay attention to the latest diet fad.

Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets may result in rapid

weight loss, but researchers report they also pose serious health problems, including an increase in the risk of kidney stones and a possible higher risk of bone loss.

Significant factors related to the increased kidney-stone risk are the acidic content of animal meat and the lack of alkaline foods. Acid excretion - a marker for the acid load in the bloodincreased as much as 90% while subjects were on diets that severely restricted carbohydrates.

People may lose weight on this diet, but the body needs a certain source of energy - and a quick source is carbohydrates. When you restrict carbohydrates, the body then turns to other sources, one of which is fat. Ketone bodies are formed when the body is forced to burn fat for energy - which may result in a state of ketoacidosis.

Ketoacidosis is a condition resulting from an accumulation

of ketone bodies in the blood and increased blood acidity.

Ten healthy subjects ate a regular diet for two weeks at the start of the study. They followed that with a highly restrictive diet that included some vegetables but no fruits and less than 20 grams of carbohydrates for two weeks. Participants then ate a less-restrictive diet for the final four weeks.

On the basis of this study alone, there was an increased risk of developing kidney stones and a possible increase in the risk of bone loss.

Osteoporosis is a major issue as the population ages - and diet has implications for bone loss.

Researchers have been studying the effects of a protein- and fat-heavy diet on the bones and are developing methods to counteract the higher risk of kidney stones.

IN THE GYM Camelia Corona works with an instructor on boxing exercises during Michiana Boxing and Fitness Class. Corona took up boxing to assist her with her flexiblity and mobility as she ages. Photo by Anika Yoder.

70s Flashback

-

The thing just stopped working

At the dawn of the 1970s, video games existed primarily as coffee break time-wasters for computer nerds.

By RANDAL C. HILL

That’s when two such techies - Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney - left the Ampex electronics company to form Atari in Sunnyvale, a town in the heart of California’s booming Silicon Valley. The pair had envisioned a future gold mine in the growing world of quarter-gobbling arcade games.

Bushnell and Dabney soon brought in a third Ampex worker, Allan Alcorn. To see what the newbie could do, Bushnell assigned him a single task: create a table-tennis-type video apparatus that the public would embrace - and pay to play.

Alcorn, who had no gaming experience, dove into the project and ended up with Pong, a name derived from ping pong, the nickname for table tennis. On sheets of graph paper, Alcorn had sketched out a vertical dotted line down the center of a TV screen, then added a small square (the ball) and a paddle on each side of the “net.”

Two players would control their paddles by moving them vertically on the left or right side of the screen, competing against each other by knocking the ball back and forth, just as in the real game. Points were earned when the opposing player failed to return the ball, and the first gamer to reach 11 points won the game.

Alcorn designed the game to offer about four minutes of playing time.

To cobble together a prototype, he bought a $75 Magnavox TV set, bolted it inside a wooden cabinet, and soldered wires onto boards to create the circuitry needed to power Pong.

Then came time to give the machine a test. “Andy Capp’s Tavern was one of our favorite places,” Alcorn explained. “We knew the owner, Bill Gaddis, and we trusted him. If something went wrong, we knew he would call us.”

In September 1972, Alcorn and Bushnell trucked the awkward contraption to the nearby tavern - named after

Andy Capp, a British comic strip character created in 1957 by cartoonist Reg Smythe. Pong made its public debut there after Alcorn installed a coin box made of a sawed-off plastic milk jug, then shoved the game into a corner behind the bar. Alcon’s brainchild was set on a table among pinball machines and a jukebox.

The Atari trio crossed their fingers and hoped for the best.

A few days later, Gaddis phoned Alcorn with some bad news - Pong was having “technical issues” and had stopped working. Alcon drove to Andy Capp’s, fearing the worst. But a heavy sigh of relief relieved Alcorn of any stress he had when he saw that there was no mechanical problem, and that the Pong game had malfunctioned because of a logjam of quarters shoved in by enthusiastic players.

Games in Gaddis’s bar had typically brought in about $10 a day; with Pong, that amount quickly quadrupled. Later, when Pong was scaled down and offered for in-home usage, the fun machine sold more than 30 million units before being discontinued in 1992.

Bibliography

Internet: History.com Editors. “This Day in History: Pong Released.” Nov. 29, 2024. history. com. Miss Cellania. “The Inside Story of Pong.” Dec. 1, 2012. neatorama.com. Modany, Angela. “Pong, Atari, and the Origins of the Home Video Game.” April 17, 2012. americanhistory.si.edu. Ochami, Frederick. “Pong: 10 Fascinating Facts About the World’s First Video Game.” Nov. 23, 2019. thegamer. com. O’Driscoll, Julia. “Pong at 50: The Video Game That Changed the World.” Nov. 29,

2022. theweek.com. Pong. (No author or date listed) en.wikipedia.org. The final quote is from here. Shea, Cam. “Al Alcorn

Interview.” March 10, 2008. ign. com. Spicer, Dag. “50 Years of Fun with Pong.” Nov. 30, 2022. computerhistory.org.

Caregiving, love and letting others in

By KARLA (KJ) MAPES CEO REAL Services

March will always make me think of my dad. It’s when we celebrated his birthday, and now it’s when I reflect most on the seasons of care that shaped our family.

For nine years, my dad cared for my mom at home after her stroke. He never called himself a caregiver. He was a husband doing what needed to be done - quietly, faithfully, without fanfare. My kids and I stepped in when he needed another set of hands or reassurance. Watching him taught us that love often looks like routine, patience and steady presence. It looks like medications organized on the counter, meals prepared just the way she liked them, and the same gentle encouragement offered again and again.

One year after my mom died, my dad got sick. The shift was fast and disorienting. The caregiver became the one who needed care.

Over the next two years, we navigated treatments, decisions and realities none of us had planned for. Eventually, I had to enact my power of attorney to place him in a safe environment - one of the hardest acts of love I’ve ever known. Doing the right thing doesn’t make it easy. Love does not erase the ache of watching someone decline. Sometimes love asks us to carry responsibil-

ity that feels impossibly heavy. What surprised me most during that time was how hard it was for me to accept help. I’m used to being the one others call - the professional, the guide, the person who knows the system. I believed I should be able to manage it all. I couldn’t. And I shouldn’t have had to.

Before my dad entered the hospice house, friends went ahead of us and decorated his room in Detroit Tigers regalia. My dad never walked into that room - he was already beyond that - but what they created brought deep comfort to me and my kids, who knew their grandpa’s lifelong passion for baseball.

The Tigers were in the postseason that year, and those banners and colors felt like familiarity, pride and joy in the middle of

heartbreak. It was love translated into action.

Caregiving also taught me that planning is not pessimism - it is kindness. Talking about wishes early, naming who you trust, and allowing others to help before exhaustion or crisis sets in can spare families so much pain. Care does not begin at the moment of emergency; it begins in the quiet conversations we’re often tempted to postpone.

I’m grateful we had those talks before he became sick. We knew his wishes. We understood his priorities. Those conversations were a gift to ourselves and to the people who love us.

For seniors especially, accepting help can feel like surrender. Roles reverse. Independence feels fragile. But caregiving, on

either side, requires communication, trust and preparation before panic takes over. Saying what you need and setting boundaries allows care to arrive with respect rather than urgency. It allows caregiving to preserve dignity, honor identity and let others help carry what may become too heavy.

We all need our people. Caregiving teaches us that love does not disappear when we need help - it deepens. It stretches to make room for vulnerability. It invites others into sacred spaces of grief, hope and memory.

Sometimes, the most meaningful act of care is letting others show up for us.

Happy birthday, Dad. Thank you for showing me what steady love looks like. And thank you for letting me care for you.

AN INSTANT SUCCESS Pong, created by Allan Alcorn for Atari, was an instant success as a video game. It was later scaled down and offered for in-home use. Over 30 million units were sold before being discontinued in 1992. Photo by Mystic lighting from Shutterstock.

Care Giving

A. The GUIDE Model (Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience) is a new Medicare benefit designed to support people living with dementia and the family members who care for them. GUIDE is a complementary initiative that works alongside existing medical care, focusing on coordination, education, and caregiver support. Through GUIDE, individuals with dementia who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B can receive help navigating care, planning for changing needs, and connecting to local services. A key feature of this new benefit is up to $2,569 per year for respite support, helping caregivers take much-needed breaks while ensuring their loved one

574-233-8205 https://realservices.org/ Q. How can the new GUIDE Medicare benefit help families?

Karla (KJ) Mapes, CEO REAL Services

remains safe and supported.

The goal of the GUIDE benefit is to help people with dementia stay in their homes longer, improve quality of life, and reduce caregiver stress.

In Northern Indiana, families can turn to Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana (ALZNI) — a trusted local organization with deep experience in dementia care. To learn more, call 574-232-4121 or visit alzni.org. See ALZNI’s page in Senior Life.

1151 S. Michigan St., South Bend, IN 46601

Q. What’s up for Senior Talk Michiana in March?

A. March’s episodes include Kristin Edson from the Elkhart Public Library to discuss the multitude of opportunities offered for seniors. Crystal Hallwood from the nutrition arm of Real Services, Tracey Ford from Wawasee-Syracuse Trails, and Andy Fitzerider from Relay Indiana will be featured in episodes this month.

As we have announced, Senior Talk Michiana is now designated as a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, allowing us to apply for grants and solicit tax-deductible donations. Please consider contributing and sharing this with your friends to help us reach more of the 260,000 seniors in Michiana and provide them

Tom Rose

Author & Speaker Balloon in a Box

Coping with Grief Grief Group Facilitator

with information about available services, organizations, and events.

Sponsored by Aging Connections of Michiana, Senior Life Newspapers, and Goshen Home Medical, Senior Talk Michiana is tailored for seniors and offers valuable information on services and organizations in Michiana. Listeners can access the podcast through free subscriptions available on Spotify and www.seniortalkmichiana.org. Episodes are also available at www.thomaslrose.com/ senior-talk.

Rose and Rose Associates Senior Talk Michiana 574-596-6256

www.thomaslrose.com www.cookingtogether.com roseandrose@comcast.net

Hospice Care

Q. When leadership understands the heart of hospice care firsthand, how does that change the experience for families and staff?

A. We are excited to welcome William Winston, RN, BSN, as our new Chief Operating Officer. With over 15 years of nursing experience, including more than 9 years dedicated specifically to hospice care, William brings not only a strong clinical foundation but also a heartfelt commitment to compassionate, patient-centered service. His extensive background in end-of-life care allows him to truly understand the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of families during some of life’s most delicate and meaningful moments. William is known for his calm presence, thoughtful leadership, and ability to connect with both patients and staff on a personal

William Winston

RN, BSN, Chief Operating Officer

level. He is passionate about creating an environment where caregivers feel supported, valued, and empowered to provide exceptional care. William has made a positive impact through his guidance, collaboration, and handson involvement. We look forward to the continued growth, stability, and compassionate leadership he brings to our team and the community we proudly serve.

Q. What is the likelihood I will get a response if placing an ad in Senior

A. If your product or service is geared to adults over the age of 50, Senior Life is the newspaper for you! According to CVC, our readers average 45 years of age and older and frequently purchase products or services from the ads they see in Senior Life (74.8%).

Call or send me an email today to discuss adding Senior Life into your marketing strategy.

Servicing St. Joseph|Elkhart|Marshall|Starke|La

118 W. Edison Rd, Suite 200, Mishawaka, IN. 46545

Your Journey is Our Path www.comfort1hospice.org

Tom Rose

Senior Relocation

Scheerer McCulloch:

Your trusted partner in auction, real estate and moving: Introducing Relocation Services

Several years ago, some friends whom had Moving can be a stressful experience for a wide range of people, not just seniors. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating for work, or handling life changes such as divorce or inheritance, the process can feel overwhelming. A few years ago, I spoke with friends who had recently moved from their family home to a retirement community. They shared how the coordination, delays, and stress made the experience challenging. This inspired me to expand our services beyond seniors to help anyone facing a move.

With a background in real estate, auctions, and appraisals, I recognized how our comprehensive services could ease the burden. Today, my team offers professional moving, real estate brokerage, antique and home appraisals,

Tim McCulloch, Owner

auctioneering, floor planning, climate-controlled storage, and both online and onsite auctions. We also provide complete property clean-up, selling items, and removing non-salable belongings. Our goal is to make every move seamless, stress-free, and efficient.

We serve clients across surrounding counties and beyond, ensuring everyone has access to reliable, compassionate support during their transition. Contact us today for a free consultation and experience a smoother move. Call (260) 441-8636. We’re here to help.

Tim McCulloch,

Owner

Financial Services

Q. Why should retirees consider dental and vision insurance, and what options are available?

A. Healthy eyes and teeth are essential to overall wellness, yet they’re often overlooked as we age. Research shows that untreated oral and vision problems can contribute to broader health concerns. Beyond physical effects, eye and dental health also influence comfort, confidence, and quality of life.

Finding dental and vision coverage in retirement can be challenging. Costs are high, options are confusing, and Original Medicare does not include dental or vision benefits. Everence® offers comprehensive insurance plans designed for Everence Association members age 60 and older.

Our plans cover key needs such as annual exams and cleanings, lenses, frames, and contact lenses. Low out-of-pocket costs

and access to a broad vision network make getting care more manageable.

Signing up for vision and/or dental plans with Everence is easy. Fill out an online form, provide information about yourself, choose your plan(s), and input your banking information for automatic payments.

Take control of your health today! Visit everence.com/60plusplans for eligibility requirements, quotes, or to enroll.

Professional

Hearing Healthcare

Q. What is your best hearing aid?

A. The best is the one that fits your hearing loss, lifestyle and comfort with technology, while providing a comfortable fit and being affordable for you.

Phonak Premium I 90 Infinio Ultra Sphere is the hottest hearing aid right now, powered by advanced AI to boost your speech understanding in noisy situations. Across the country they sell for $7-$10 thousand per pair, but our price is just $3,990 per pair. Just one step down, the I 70 Sphere is only $3,290 per pair. Both have a 3-year warranty, Loss & Damage Insurance and a local service plan.

You can try a pair at home, for a week, for free. No deposit- just agree to bring them back. See for yourself if this is the best hearing aid for you. If not, we have many other choices.

How do we have the lowest hearing aid prices available to the public? Our mission is to make hearing aids affordable while providing excellent service. Eleven “Best Hearing Center” awards tell us we’re doing it right.

Elkhart - Mishawaka - Laporte - St. Joseph Call 574-387-4215 Voted “Best Hearing Center” 10 times!

Elder Law

Q. Do I need a Trust to save taxes?

A. It depends. In Indiana, most people do NOT need a Trust to save taxes. The Indiana inheritance tax has been repealed for several years. Also, there will be no federal estate tax due upon death if the value of your estate is below the current (2026) federal estate and gift tax exemption amount of $15M per individual. This allows a married couple in Indiana to effectively pass during their lifetimes or at death up to $30M estate and inheritance tax free. In fact, some Trusts will cause an increase in taxes if not structured properly. This is because federal (and in some cases) state income taxes are higher for income within a Trust. As an example, current (2026) federal income tax rates for individuals generally do not reach the highest bracket (37%) until after taxable income of over $751,600.00 for those

filing married and over $626,350.00 for unmarried individuals. However, the federal income tax rate jumps to 37% for a Trust only after $15,650.00 in taxable income. This is a huge effective tax rate increase. Trusts still serve clients well in many other respects (e.g. long-term care and asset preservation planning, extremely high net worth individuals, etc.) but generally do not save taxes for the typical client.

Kurt R. Bachman, Partner

David Keenan

Independence | Dignity | Strength

1151 S. Michigan St, South Bend IN 46601 | (574) 233-8205

info@ info@realservices.org

realservices.org Real Services, Inc.

REAL Solutions: Helping You Navigate with Care with Confidence

A sudden health change — yours or someone you love — can bring urgent decisions at a time when emotions are already running high. Trying to balance caregiving, work, and family can quickly feel overwhelming.

You don’t have to navigate it alone.

REAL Solutions, a program of REAL Services, offers trusted, affordable private care management for older adults and their families. Our experienced Care Consultants walk alongside you — listening first, then helping you understand your options so you can move forward with clarity and confidence.

We provide:

• Personalized guidance based on your goals and values

• Care coordination and medical advocacy

• Support after hospital stays or rehab

• Help navigating Medicare, Medicaid, and other benefits

• Ongoing check-ins and peace of mind

Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to a crisis, we help you avoid costly missteps and make informed decisions that honor your loved one’s dignity and independence.

Join Us for REAL Talk

Free presentations and community connections. Topics target those 60 and older, but everyone is welcome to attend.

Eating for Healthy Aging

Mar. 11 | 11 AM | Portage Commons (574) 284-7189

How Good Nutrition Can Help Prevent Chronic Disease

Mar. 19 | 11 AM | OWLS (574) 336-2652

Mar. 27 | 11:30 AM | 1ROOF (Lunch) (574) 284-7189

Reserve your spot by visiting realservices.org/get-involved/real-talk/

Since 1966, REAL Services has been local and trusted — in the community and for the community. When you work with us, you gain a partner in care committed to helping you age confidently and live independently.

Call a Care Consultant today at (574) 367-6549 Visit: www.realservices.org

REAL Services — Local. Trusted. Helping you find REAL Solutions.

Community & Conversations

A New Monthly Gathering Come Hungry. Leave Connected.

Portage Township and REAL Services invite you to the launch of Community & Conversations, a new monthly evening event centered on food, connection, and community.

Join neighbors, families, and local leaders for a free meal and relaxed conversation in a welcoming, informal setting. No speeches—just good food, friendly faces, and meaningful connection, especially during the winter months.

Thursday | March 12, 2026 | 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM Portage Commons Senior Enrichment Center

Held the 2nd Thursday of each month FREE and open to all! Donations accepted.

133 N. William St. South Bend, Indiana 46601 | (574) 284-7159 | Mon. - Fri. 10AM - 3PM

March Highlights at Portage Commons

Tue. Mar. 10 & Tue. Mar. 24 | 10:00 AM | Trivia Tuesdays

Put your thinking cap on and enjoy friendly competition, laughter, and lively conversation.

Wed. Mar. 11 & Wed. Mar. 25 | 2:00 PM | Line Dancing

Tue. Mar. 3, 17, & 31 | 10:00 AM | Joyful Journey: Brain Strengthening Engaging activities designed to support memory, focus, and overall cognitive wellness.

Wed. Mar. 11 | 11:00 AM | REAL Talk: Eating for Healthy Aging

Our nutritional needs change as we age - Let’s discuss some key areas of nutrition to focus on to fuel our bodies well for years to come!

Thu. Mar. 19 | 1:00 PM | Let’s Talk About It: Hearing Loss

Fri. Mar. 13 | 12:30 PM | WNIT Presents: The American Revolution Part 4.

History buffs, assemble! Settle in for an engaging look at the turning points that shaped our nation.

Mon. Mar. 16 | 1:00 PM | Intro to Watercolors

Ready, set, paint! Explore beginner-friendly watercolor techniques and unleash your creativity.

Fri. Mar. 20 | 1:00 PM | Sound Therapy

Float into the weekend with calming tones designed to reset your mind and melt away winter stress.

March

Thur. Mar. 5, 12, 19 & 26 | 10:00 AM | Knitting & Crocheting

Wed. Mar. 4 & 18 | 4:30 PM | Photography Club

Fri. Mar. 6, 13, 20 & 27 | 11:00 AM | Dominos and Puzzlers

Mon. Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30 | 1:00 PM | Monday Memories Share & Tell realservices.org/portage-commons/ Portage Commons portagecommons@realservices.org

Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

Community Arts Program Celebrate and Sing: Fantastical!

According to Lori Widman, president of the Community Arts Program, Rev. Richard Anderson formed the Warsaw Community Choir in 1984. Anderson, along with his wife, Ethel, successfully produced local performances of “Messiah” and other collaborations with the Grace Community Orchestra.

In 1991, Anderson founded Classic Arts Programs. CAP would become an umbrella organization for several area choral groups, many of which remain today. “The board of directors of Community Arts Programs is excited to continue Richard Anderson’s vision of high-quality community music making,” writes Widman. “We are thrilled to continue collaborations with our community artists and musicians.”

Celebrate and Sing: Fantastical!

Be ready to be entertained

Celebrating 47 yrs 888-262-4423 S

with whimsical, magical, and downright fun vocal music! The focus for this family-friendly concert is to experience the joy of crazy lyrics, famous literary quotes and childhood memories. To quote Willy Wonka, “Come with me, and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination!”

Performed by Community Arts Program Choirs, Grace Lancer Chorus, Symphony of the Lakes musicians and special guests, the Bremen Children’s Choir.

“Fantastical!” will be performed in Rodheaver Auditorium in beautiful Winona Lake, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Tickets are available online at capwarsaw.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. The cost to attend is $15, $12 for students (with ID) and senior adults. Children 5 years and under are free with a paid adult admission.

1404 E. Lake Bluff Drive

What’s happening at the Elkhart County Council on Aging in March

Kendallville, IN 46755

1404 E. Lake Bluff Drive Kendallville, IN 46755

MAY 4: BLOOMING TULIPS, Holland, MI

Veldheers Tulips Farm, Lunch, Holland Bowl Mill, Windmill Island. A Spring Tradition

MAY 18-22: SPRING IN BRANSON MO

Rick McEwen’s Tribute to Kenny Rogers, Shepherd Of the Hills Chuckwagon Dinner and Drama, Doug Gabriel, The Duttons, Clay Cooper, Dogwood Canyon Wildlife Tour, Lambert’s Cafe

JUNE 1-7: THE MOTHER ROAD — ROUTE 66

St Louis, MO to Oklahoma City, OK. Celebrating 100 years. US 66 was a primary route for those who migrated west. Relive the beginning days of travel.

JUNE 17-22: WISCONSIN HEARTLAND featuring One Day Mississippi River Boat Ride from LaCross, WI to Red Wing, MN, Wisconsin Dells, Upper Dell Boat Ride, Lost Canyon, House on the Rock, Circus World Museum w/Big Top Show

JULY 13-15: OHIO CELEBRATES AMERICAN 250TH William McKinley Museum and Presidential Library, Warther Ivory Sailboat Carvings, Victorian Mansion, Patriotic Shows, Fort Laurens, Schoenbrunn Village

JULY 22-23: THE GREAT GATSBY, Grand Rapids, MI Kellogg Manor House w/Lunch, Heritage Hill Tour, Broadway Show The Great Gatsby, Gilmore Car Museum

JULY 28-29: ARK ENCOUNTER/CREATION MUSEUM

OCT 2-7: ALBUQUERQUE BALLOON FIESTA

A Fly Tour with Mayflower Cruises & Tours. Don’t Delay COMPLETE 2026 TOUR CALENDAR IS NOW AVAILABLE Details: www.s-stravel.com Tour Calendar: Call 888-262-4423

Below are the activities and programs the Elkhart County Council on Aging will be holding during March.

Financial DeclutteringKitchen Table Money Matters with Nancy Bean, Premier Lifestyle Services, LLC, 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, at the Goshen Public Library, 601 S. Fifth St. Bean will present a practical and empowering session on financial decluttering. Kitchen Table Money Matters is designed to help people simplify their finances, reduce stress and confusion and get organized with confidence.

If your paperwork feels overwhelming or you’re not sure where to start, this workshop will provide clear, manageable steps you can take right away - all in a relaxed, supportive setting.

Bean is a professional Daily Money Manager with over 20 years of experience in trust and financial services - take control of your finances and bring peace of mind back to your kitchen table!

Diamond Art 9:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, at the Elkhart Public Library “Morning Meetup”

Join the council on aging for a festive and creative morning at the Elkhart Public Library!

Participants will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with lively Irish and Celtic music while creating a beautiful “diamond art” project led by the library’s craft extraordinaire, Jeanne L. Glanders.

In addition to the fun, participants will also hear from the library’s new Executive Director, Kristen Edson, who will share highlights from the Elkhart Public Library’s annual report and exciting plans for the future.

It’s the perfect mix of creativity, community and celebration.

To sign up, call (574) 295-1820

Paint-Your-Own-Pottery

fun: PEEPS! 2-4 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Hunny Pot Pottery Studio, 412 Second St., Suite B, Elkhart

Join the council on aging for its monthly Pottery Art Program at

Hunny Pot Pottery Studio as participants welcome spring with a fun and festive Paint-Your-OwnPottery project! This month, participants will be creating adorable ceramic PEEPS — personalized your way for Easter. Choose your colors, add creative details, and make your Peep uniquely yours. This hands-on activity is not only a great way to celebrate the season, but also a wonderful opportunity to relax, express your creativity and enjoy time together in a welcoming studio setting. Spots fill quickly, so don’t miss this sweet springtime tradition! Register at square.link/u/ qVFvMary

Also Coming Up In April:

• Intro to Ballroom Dancing 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. April 8 with GoDance! at the Goshen Public Library

• Pottery Wheel Throwing (Customized Bowl) @ Hunny Pot Studio 2-4 p.m. April 16.

• Coffee & Canvas with Linda Pieri 9:30 -11 a.m. April 21 at the Elkhart Public Library

COMMUNITY CHORALE Dr. Ardis Faber congratulates Shana Brath following the performance during last year’s Spring performance, Synergize!. Photo by Marah Grant Photography.

Elex Club lives on – doing charitable work in

By LOIS LOVINGER, Last Presiding President 2011-2012

The transformation of the GE College Street Plant into Electric Works has members of Elex Club reminiscing about our past activities, accomplishments and charitable service throughout the Fort Wayne area.

GE organized a girls’ basketball team in 1915, named Elex, which is Latin for “electric.” Shortly after, the team was disbanded due to the war and marriages. In those days, if a female employee married, her employment was terminated.

Some of the team members approached Mr. E. A. (Daddy) Barnes, general superintendent of the Fort Wayne Works, about forming a GE Girls’ Club.

Elex Club was founded on Nov. 6, 1916, to promote social and educational activities, to foster the spirit of friendly service and to stand for the highest ideals of womanhood.

In the early years, women at GE did not have opportunities for social, educational and recreational activities “on their own,” so Elex Club provided group social, sports and educational activities, including travel, which was virtually impossible for individual ladies in those days.

Our list of charitable actions is so long, it would be impossible to list all of them. We were especially devoted to helping children and women in need. We were part of several reading programs and donating books and dollars to numerous organizations. We even had a group that sang at

See for free

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

Gawkers pay an entry fee and stand for hours to giggle and gaze at Michelangelo’s David in Florence.

Those choosing to avoid the usual tourist trips and traps just saunter over to the Piazza della Signoria where they can gather and gawk at an exact copy of the famed figure along with original Renaissance works commissioned by the Medicis. All for free.

And if you get to Rome, you can stroll over to San Pietro in Vincula, a tidy church overlooking the Coliseum, and stand within arm’s length of Michelangelo’s other legendary piece - Moses. For free.

Why pay for the ride to the restaurant atop the Eiffel Tower when you can find dining nearby that’s just as good and probably cheaper?

Does it make you feel better to pay several bucks to go out and get wet under Niagara Falls when you can enjoy a few soothing sips at a bistro with a magnificent view of water flowing over the international border?

health-care facilities. Due to a downturn in GE employment in the Fort Wayne area, the Elex Club chose to close while celebrating its 95th anniversary in 2011.

The GE/BAE Systems Elex Club did not go away with the closing of GE and the emptying of the buildings. Elex Club lives on in our hearts and deeds. We still work in our community, spreading joy, love and friendship to others in need. The 12 living Elex Club past presidents and our Pen ElPar Chapter continue to meet regularly. We loved our time working at GE and BAE Systems. We’re so thankful we were able to be a part of such great companies and such a great organization as Elex Club. Most importantly, we are thankful for the friendships we developed through Elex!

STILL GETTING TOGETHER Shown are some of the Past Presidents of the Elex Club at a Christmas time gathering. The Elex Club was active in the Fort Wayne area for 95 years before disbanding in 2011. Photo provided by Lois Lovinger, past president, 2011-2012.

Dental debate getting foot in mouth

By JAMES GAFFNEY

Mature Life Features

Consumers are still caught in the crossfire over the debate about the safety of silver-colored fillings, known as dental amalgam. Reports claiming amalgam is responsible for a variety of diseases are confusing and, in some cases, alarming people to the point where they will not seek necessary dental care.

Of the dental filling materials available today - including gold, silver-colored amalgam and tooth-colored fillings - amalgam has been attacked to the extent that some would ban it. This, according to the American Dental Association, would deprive dental patients of a valuable - and, in some instances, irreplaceable - treatment option.

The American Dental Association says it is concerned that misguided fears about the safety

of amalgam, coupled with the added costs of the more expensive filling options, may cause people to forego necessary dental care. Far fewer people have dental insurance than medical insurance and not all insurance plans cover all filling options.

Despite amalgam’s long and impressive track record, the American Dental Association says a small group - communicating primarily through the internet - claims that amalgam is somehow responsible for diseases such as autism, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis because it is an alloy containing mercury.

Concern about amalgam because it contains mercury is intuitive but not supported by scientific fact. Amalgam does contain mercury but when it is mixed with metals such as silver, copper and tin, it forms a stable alloy that dentists have used for years to successfully treat dental disease in millions of people.

Similar to the way sodium and chlorine - both hazardous in their pure states - combine to form ordinary table salt, the mercury in dental amalgam combines with other metals to form a stable dental filling. Until the advent of amalgam, most people lost their teeth due

to decay.

Critics claim that amalgam, because it has been in use for over a hundred years, is outdated and should be replaced with other newer materials. Supporters say getting rid of

amalgam would be like getting rid of aspirin because it still serves a useful purpose even with the other options available.

In some situations, like large cavities in the rear molars or

below the gum line, amalgam is often used because of its durability and affordability. It is also one of the best filling materials for areas of the mouth that are difficult to keep dry.

Annual bone-density scans can help osteoporosis patients

By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features

Several scientific studies and numerous reports have questioned the necessity and effectiveness of some diagnostic-imaging techniques - but osteoporosis experts say bone-density scans are a vital tool for finding and monitoring that disease.

Bone-mineral density measurement is the gold standard for diagnosis of osteoporosis before a fracture occurs, say experts. In addition, it is a sensitive tool to assess the response to drugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Increasingly, experts say the correlation between bone-mineral density and bone strength allows doctors to use scans to

assess bone quality - but other factors, including age, gender and race, must be factored in to accurately assess patients’ con-

ditions. An annual bone-density scan should be part of routine care for osteoporosis patients.

Mature

Boomers living longer than succeeding generations

By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features

The current crop of elderly, labeled through the decades as baby boomers, reportedly are healthier and are living longer than the life-expectancy of their children and grandchildren. Generation X, folks born between 1965 and 1980, and Generation Y, those Millennials born between

1981 and 1996, show signs of increased disabilities as they age during a shorter lifespan than their predecessors, according to a recent research report.

The cause?

More anxiety and depression as well as increased levels of bad-health behaviors, such as smoking and alcohol use, compared to the postWorld War II generation.

If you are turning 65 or retiring, call us today to set up a time to learn more about Medicare Advantage plans.

If you are turning 65 or retiring, to set up a time to learn more Advantage plans.

With one-to-one support from an get clear, helpful answers to all your questions, big and small. You’ll learn people choose Medicare Advantage, as which plans best meet your specific budget and medication needs. And enroll with confidence, knowing members recommend UnitedHealthcare Advantage coverage.

With one-to-one support from an agent, you can get clear, helpful answers to all your Medicare questions, big or small. You’ll learn why so many people choose Medicare Advantage, as well as which plans best meet your specific health, budget and medication needs. And you can enroll with confidence, knowing that 4 out of 5 members recommend UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage coverage.

Brentwood at Elkhart Assisted Living

3109 E. Bristol Street, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 266-4508

https://brentwoodatelkhartassistedliving.com

Licensed Assisted Living, Physical & Occupational Therapy On-Site, Nurses 24 Hours Per Day, Private Apartments, Respite Care, Activities, Studio/1 BR/2 BR Apaartments, Pet Friendly.

Green Oaks of Goshen

282 Johnston Street, Goshen, IN 46528 (574) 501-5342

marketing@greenoaks-goshen.com

Green Oaks of Goshen provides affordable assisted living, with personalized support, and a safe engaging enviornment promotingindependence and dignity for seniors.

Greencroft Goshen

1225 Greencroft Blvd., Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 537-4000

Greencroft.org/GreencroftGoshen

Comprehensive Care With Assisted Living, Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing, Memory Care, Respite Care, And On-Site/Outpatient Therapy; Medicare/Medicaid Accepted.

Greencroft Middlebury

701 Windridge Drive, Middlebury, IN 46540 (574) 825-6785

Greencroft.org/GreencroftMiddlebury

Assisted Living With Studio And One-Bedroom Apartments, Meals, Housekeeping, Laundry, Daily Assistance, And Priority Access To Greencroft Goshen Healthcare.

Greenleaf Health Campus

1201 East Beardsley Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 206-0086 • www.GreenleafHS.com

Assisted Living, Rehabilitation Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing or Intermediate Care, Therapies: SpeechOccupational-Respiratory-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Pharmacy On Premises, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Hellenic Senior Living

2528 Bypass Road, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 389-1776

https://elkhart.ahepaseniorliving.org/

Licensed Assisted Living, Medicaid Waiver Accepted, 24 Hour Medical Care, Restaurant Style Dining, Therapy, Private Apartments, Daily Activities, Pet Friendly. Stop In To Tour Today!

Hubbard Hill Retirement Community

28070 CR 24 ., Elkhart, IN 46517 (574) 295-6260 • www.hubbardhill.org

Rehabilitation, Healthcare, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Maintenance Free Homes, Licensed, Locally Owned, Non-Profit, Faith Based, Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapies, Memory Care Support Group, Pet Friendly, There’s No Place Like Hubbard Hill

900 Provident Drive, Warsaw, IN 46580 (574) 371-2500 • www.masonhealthandrehab.com

and/or Medicaid

Orchard Pointe Health Campus

702 Sawyer Rd., Kendallville, IN 46755 (260) 347-3333 • www.orchardpointehc.com

Offering Memory Care, Assisted & Independent Living Apartments and Skilled Services. We’ll meet you with the appropriate level of care wherever you are — whether you’re fully independent or looking for additional assistance. Call us.

Signature HealthCARE of Bremen

316 Woodies Lane, Bremen, IN 46506 (574) 546-3494 • SHCofBremen.com

liaison2.bremen@signaturehealthcarellc.com

Our Gated Community is a smaller, dedicated unit for comfort and safety for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Residents. We offer Enhanced Quality of Life Programming which includes cognitive strengths, life skills, daily movement, power of music, artistic expression, creativity and socialization.

The Waters of Wakarusa-Assisted

Living Facility

303 N. Washington Street, Wakarusa IN 46573 (574) 862-1918

admissions@watersofwakarusaALF.com

Independent/Assisted Living. Private studio/1bed/2bed apartments. Home-like family-oriented environment. Family-style dining. Daily activities. Transportation available. 24-hour care-givers. Pet friendly. Out-patient therapy available. Come for tour today.

Waterford Crossing (Healthcare)

1332 Waterford Crossing Circle, Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 534-3920 • www.trilogyhs.com

Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing or Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-RespiratoryPhysical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Pharmacy On Premises, Medicare and/or Medicaid

343 S. Nappanee Street, Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 295-0096 • www.woodlandmanornursingandrehab.com

Rehabilitation Unit, Alzheimer’s Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing or Intermediate Care, Therapies: SpeechOccupational-Respiratory-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid

Woodland Manor

Previously Miller’s Senior Living

ADULT DAY CENTER

RIVERVIEW ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTER

2715 E. Jackson Blvd. Elkhart, IN 46516 (574) 293-6886

www.radhc.org

At our ADULT DAY HEALTH CENTER in ELKHART, we focus on creating meaningful, engaging days for seniors. With personalized care plans, enriching activities, and a friendly, professional team, we’re here to support caregivers and brighten lives!

AGING & WELLNESS RESOURCES

AGING CONNECTIONS

Serving Northern IN & Southwest MI www.agingconnections.org

Trusted Resource Directory: Visit our searchable website to find vetted professionals providing services in your area for aging resources, education, and information. For more details, check our Community Calendar for events and FREE educational meetings. Aging Connections is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization.

REAL SERVICES, INC. 1151 South Michigan Street South Bend, IN 46601 Phone (574) 233-8205

www.realservices.org

Helping seniors and caregivers access meals, transportation, in-home and aging-in-place services, senior programs, healthy aging, guardianship and other aging services.

ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA SERVICES OF NORTHERN INDIANA, INC. (ALZNI) 111 Sunnybrook Ct. South Bend, IN 46637 (574) 232-4121

https://alzni.org/

Providing specialized education, support, and resources for caregivers and those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias including screenings, support groups and programming.

ALZHEIMERS/MEMORY CARE

GREENLEAF LIVING CENTER

1201 E. Beardsley Ave. Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 206-0086

www.greenleafhs.com

“We treat our residents with the same love and dignity that we would expect for our own loved ones. Fulfi lling activities with our Daily Rhythms programming that stimulate the mind and offer socialization.”

VIVA SENIOR LIVING AT SOUTH BEND 955 N. Hickory Road Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 314-5369

www.vivaseniorliving.com/southbend

A Distinctive Approach to senior living, with personalized care and services Tailored to each resident. Offering Age-In-Place from assisted living to Memory and Respite Care in a secured, safe community requiring individual access codes for guest entry. We honor long-term insurance and veteran discounts.

MY MOTHER’S HOUSE, LLC

55665 County Road 14 Bristol, IN 46507 (574) 202-7091

mymothershouse2022@gmail.com

We provide a compassionate environment where your loved one will be treated like family in our private care home.

WATERFORD CROSSING

1212 Waterford Circle Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 537-0300

www.waterfordcrossingsl.com

Licensed Assisted Living, Alzheimer’s Unit, Memory Support Unit On Campus, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Daily Activities

SIGNATURE HealthCARE OF BREMEN 316 Woodies Lane Bremen, IN 46506 (574) 546-3494

SHCofBremen.com

liaison2.bremen@signaturehealthcarellc.com

FUNNY PHARM 1100 Chicago Avenue Goshen, IN 46528

(Chicago Avenue Entrance of The Old Bag Factory) (574) 971-8056

funnypharmcomedy.com

Hosting some of the biggest names in clean comedy for year-round entertainment every Friday and Saturday. Every weekend, some of the funniest clean comedians and biggest household names in the biz are making their way to The Maple City. Reach out TODAY to see them!

CLEAN COMEDY CLUB

CONTINUING

CARE COMMUNITY

BRICKYARD ELKHART HEALTH CARE CENTER

1001 W. Hively Ave. Elkhart, IN 46517 (574) 294-7641

brickyardhc.com

Short and long-term care, memory care, respite plus therapy, pain management, pharmacy, audiology and IV therapy. New Dialysis Unit! Call Today!

MAJESTIC CARE OF GOSHEN

2400 W. College Avenue Goshen, IN 46526 (574) 533-0351

www.MajesticCare.com/Location/Goshen Memory Care Unit, Rehabilitation Unit, Skilled Licensed Nursing, Semi-Skilled Nursing or Intermediate Care, Therapies: Speech-Occupational-Respiratory-Physical, Long Term Care, Temporary Care, Private/Semi-Private Rooms, Pet Visitation Allowed, Medicare and/or Medicaid Goshen

HOME CARE SERVICES

COMFORT KEEPERS

6910 N. Main St., Ste. 3, Unit 47 Granger, IN 46530 (574) 277-4121, (574) 327-6123

www.southbendin.comfortkeepers.com

Providing Compassionate Senior Home Care & Home Assistance In Northern Indiana Region. Includes personal care, respite care, transitioning home care and more. Indiana Medicaid, VA Provider, long term insurance and private pay.

HOME INSTEAD

1731 E. Bristol Street

Elkhart, IN 46514 (574) 875-7777

www.homeinstead.com/588

Serving Elkhart & Kosciusko counties and surrounding areas. Care they deserve in the home they love.

See Our Ad

HOME CARE SERVICES

info@shsnorthernin.com

Comfort 1 Hospice 118 W. Edison Rd., Suite 200 Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 387-4117

www.Comfort1Hospice.com

Our homegrown team of local health care providers offer comfort and compassion to those with lifelimiting illnesses in our community. We Can Help!

VILLAGE CAREGIVING

2515 N. Bendix Dr., Ste. 201 South Bend, IN 46628 (574) 931-0712

villagecaregiving.com

Nations Largest Privately Owned And Operated Home Care Agency. VA Provider. We Accept A Variety Of Payment Options. Call Today!

HOME HEALTHCARE AGENCY

NORACARE

1251 N. Eddy Street, Suite 200 South Bend, IN 46617 (574) 222-5992

info@noracare.us

www.noracare.us

Access experienced health professionals to support your home healthcare needs at affordable rates. We accept long-term care insurance.

DUNES HOSPICE

(888) 602-9004

4711 Evans Avenue

Valparaiso, IN 46383

1417 N. Michigan Street Plymouth, IN 46563

duneshospicellc.com

A 5 Star hospice. Dunes Hospice has the highest visit frequencies in the area for nurses, CNAs, Social Workers, and Spiritual Counselors. We serve with dignity, honor, and above all, compassion.

PARADIGM HEALTH

3625 Park Place West, Suite 200

Mishawaka, IN 46545 (574) 332-8320

MyParadigmHealth.com

Honoring life’s journey with expert hospice and pallative care services. Dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our patients and their families. Exceptional end-of-life care is provided by our valued and empowered team. Hoosiers Caring for Hoosiers.

Mennonite Historical Society winds down

Members voted Dec. 4, 2025 to wind down and close the Mennonite Historical Society, long-time publisher of the Mennonite Quarterly Review.

During 2026, the Mennonite Historical Society will conclude more than a century of promoting public understanding of Anabaptist-Mennonite history and contemporary Mennonite life and thought, with a mission that served the overarching goal of deepening commitment to the Christian faith.

Noting a decade-plus pattern of diminishing access to volunteer energy, the MHS board is transitioning Mennonite Historical Society’s impactful initiatives to institutions eager to continue these efforts:

Mennonite Quarterly Review and Conrad Grebel Review

are merging to create a single open-access journal supported through a new collaboration between Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart; Conrad Grebel University College, Waterloo, Ontario, and Goshen College, Goshen. The journal will be published by the Institute of Mennonite Studies at AMBS.

Bluffton University continues the C. Henry Smith book series under Dr. Gerald J. Mast, editor, and a new name: the C. Henry Smith Series in Anabaptist Culture and Thought.

The Institute for Study of Global Anabaptism at Goshen College, under the directorship of Elizabeth Miller, continues the Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History book series.

Mennonite Historical Society

invites all to join a celebration of the Society’s work and impact 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28, on the campus of Goshen College, at College Mennonite Church, South Fellowship Hall. Lunch will be provided.

RSVP by contacting Elizabeth Miller at Goshen College elizabethmm@goshen.edu or (574) 535.7418.

A GLANCE BACK A display of mid-20th century publications of the Mennonite Historical Society, including Mennonite Quarterly Review and the first five publications in the Studies in Anabaptist and Mennonite History book series, ca. 1946-1948. Image courtesy of the Mennonite Historical Library.

Events at the LaGrange County Public Library system

Here are the events coming up for March 2026 at the LaGrange County Public Library and its branches in Shipshewana and Topeka. For more information and latest updates go to www.lagrange.lib.in.us

LaGrange

Tai Chi — 11-11:30 a.m. Mondays.

Learn tai chi with videos from International Tai Chi Master David-Dorian Ross. These gentle workouts focus on slow movement, balance, and deep breathing. All ages. Free.

Walking Well Read — Noon -12:30 p.m. Mondays & Thursdays

Come to the library for 30 minutes of cardio. We’ll walk up and down stairs, around the book stacks and through some behind-the-scenes areas. It’s great exercise. Drop in and join us. All ages. Free.

Pre-School Story Time (ages 0-5) Theme: Alphabet, Letters E,F,G

Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with a fun craft or activity.

Makerspace — 2:30-7 p.m.

Wednesdays, March 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Special Spring Break Day: 1-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31. For ages 5 and up, parents must stay with children 10 and under. Makerspace is a collaborative space where people can use a variety of tools and materials to create, learn, and share. We will have different building materials and crafting supplies available for use. We will have new special projects every week.

Lego Play:(Registration not required) — 2:30-7 p.m. Thursdays, March 5, 12, 19 and 26.

Ages 5 and up, parents must stay with kids 10 and under. Drop in anytime between 2:30-7 p.m. All of our Legos will be out to build anything you want, or attempt to complete the challenges for the month.

Teen Games (Ages sixth -12th grade)

Monday, 4-7:30 p.m. March 9.

Drop in anytime and stay as long as you can. Play some larger group party type games or settle in for something longer. Free pizza provided!

Homeschool Hangout (Registration not required)- 10:30 a.m. - noon Friday, March 13.

Join other homeschool families for a laid-back time to hang out, play games, relax together, share ideas and make new friends.

Second Saturday Book Club

11 a.m. Saturday, March 14. This month we’ll discuss “Julius Caesar” by William Shakespeare. Julius Caesar is the ultimate story of political intrigue, ambition, betrayal and the fall of the Roman Republic. First performed in 1599, it remains one of Shakespeare’s most enduringly popular and influential works. Copies available at the LaGrange Adult Services Desk. Ages 16+

Youth Book Clubs

Books & Banter Book Club: Grade 7-12 (formerly Teen B.C.)

4-5 p.m. Monday, March 16

Discussing: The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys.

Come to the library in February to get your book to read and discuss in March. At each meeting we will discuss the book we read for this month and do a fun activity or craft related to the story.

Book Buddies Book Club: Grade 1-3 (formerly Elementary B.C.)

4-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17. Discussing: Isla of Adven-

ture: Welcome to the Island by Dela Costa.

You’ll get your book at the meeting, no registration required. We will start reading our book together, do a fun activity, then you will take the book home to finish reading and bring back next month.

Page Turners Book Club: Grades 3-7 (formerly MidGrade B.C.)

4-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.

Discussing The Area 51 Files by Julie Buxbaum.

Come to the library in February to get your book to read and discuss in March. At each meeting we will discuss the book we read this month and do a fun activity or craft related to the story.

Teen Video Games and Table Top Roll Play Games (TTRPG) (Grades 7-12)

4-7:30 p.m. Monday, March 23.

Join us on the fourth Monday of each month for Nintendo Switch, Wii and VR. Come and go as you are able during this time. If you enjoy TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons, we will have some premade games to play through. We will have snacks and TV’s set up to play!

Cord Making — 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24

Learn how to turn yarn, string or thread into sturdy cord using a simple tool called a lucet. This method of cord making is believed to date back to the Viking and Medieval periods. It takes just minutes to learn. Make your own drawstrings, belts, shoelaces

and more. Free. Register by March 17, either at the library or by calling (260) 463-2841 x1030. Ages 10+ Make & Take with Deb: Large Jute Bowl — 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 25. Participants will construct a large decorative bowl from jute rope. Embellishments may be added. A plastic bowl liner will be included. Cost is $20 per person. Register with non-refundable deposit of $10 by March 18 at the Main Library in LaGrange. (Ages 10+) Cookbook Club- 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28. This month’s cookbook is Betty Crocker Found Recipes. Check out the cookbook of the month at the Main Library Adult Service’s Desk. Choose a recipe. Make it and bring it to the Cookbook Club carry-in! Plates, silverware, coffee and tea will be provided. Cookbook Club meets the fourth Saturday of each month. Families welcome!

Teen 5th Monday Program! – Pickle Forensics — 5-7 p.m. Monday, March 30.(Grades 6-12)

Oh, no! There has been an incident with several local pickles and we need your help as pickle forensic pathologists to help determine the cause of death for each pickle. You will enter to a “crime scene” (pickles with fake blood and various injuries) and work together to perform autopsies. Pickle flavored snacks and drinks! Registration on website or at library is appreciated but not required Shipshewana

Pre-School Story Time (ages 0-5) Theme: Alphabet, Letters E,F,G 11 a.m. Tuesdays. (new time)

Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with a fun craft or activity.

Topeka

Pre-School Story Time (ages 0-5) Theme: Alphabet, Letters E,F,G 11 a.m. Wednesdays

Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes with a fun craft or activity.

Bellamy Brothers

Attention, music trivia fans! What do rocker Del Shannon, pop princess Lesley Gore, the made-for-TV Monkees, and iconic country kings the Bellamy Brothers have in common?

A

Boomer Blast To The Past

By RANDAL C. HILL

“Absolutely nothing,” you might say. However, these disparate music-makers do indeed share one fact: Each hit Number One on the Billboard chart with their very first single release.

Howard and David Bellamy would sometimes be awakened by the sounds of a Merle Haggard or Buck Owens record being spun by their music-loving father. The future superstar siblings were frequently exposed to such country-music icons, as well as hearing the likes of Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, and, later, music of the mid-1960s British Invasion.

Home was a cattle ranch in west central Florida, and the boys went to high school in nearby tiny Darby. Once graduated (Howard in 1964, David four years later), they launched their music career by performing gratis with their fiddle-playing father at a jamboree of sorts called the Rattlesnake Roundup in nearby San Antonio, Florida.

The twosome, who mastered seven instruments between them, gigged at frat parties and backed touring “oldies” artists before moving to Atlanta to form a short-lived outfit that the Bellamys dubbed Jericho.

The duo also tried their hands at writing, and David’s co-authorship with Jim Stafford’s “Spiders and Snakes” became a novelty home run. Sales of three million singles gave the brothers the cash needed to move to Los Angeles, their goal being to connect with the music scene there.

They befriended Neil Diamond’s backup band. One day, Diamond’s drummer brought a demo (demonstration record) to the singing siblings and enthused, “Hey, this sounds like something you guys would do.”

It was a song called “Let Your Love Flow” and had been written by Larry Williams, Neil’s roadie (road manager).

Diamond had previously passed on the tune, as had fellow hitmaker Johnny Rivers. The Bellamys, though, loved it. Howard later recalled, “When we heard it, we had an idea of how we wanted to record it. It kind of fit our style - acoustic bass with a groove.”

They signed with Warner/ Curb Records, cut the song in a couple of takes, and watched in amazement as it became the best-selling record of the year.

Riding the tsunami of their success, the pair began touring the world. “We’ve always been known as a live act,” Howard maintains. “We’ve gone with the idea that we’re going to have fun and the audience is too. Performing is not something we got into for the money. We got into it for the love of it. It’s a lifestyle with us. That’s how we’ve managed to stay on the road for so long.”

Long, indeed. Their 2026 tour marks the 50th anniversary of the Bellamy Brothers offering their talents to appreciative fans worldwide.

Larry Williams never wrote another hit. Don’t feel bad for him, though. Howard Bellamy grins broadly when he says, “I would say the guy who wrote this song is the wealthiest

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roadie now that ever was.”

Bibliography

Book: Bronson, Fred. “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Third Edition).” (P. 433) New York: Billboard Publications, Inc., 1992.

Internet: “The Bellamy

Brothers.” (No author or date listed) thecountrystage.com.

The third quote is from here. Breihan, Tom. “’The Number Ones: The Bellamy Brothers’ “Let Your Love Flow.’” Aug. 30, 2019. stereogum.com. James, Gary. “Interview with Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers.” (No date listed) classicbands.com. “’Let Your Love Flow’ by the Bellamy Brothers.” (No author or date listed) songfacts.com. The first, second and fourth quotes are from here.

There’s no discharge in war

By JIM CARPENTER Guest Writer

I turn the clock back over 50 years. To when I was young and knew it all. Changing jobs, drinking and girls. I was headed for one big fall. A time of war, troops were needed. It was definitely a major life change. Another soldier headed for ‘Nam. They had me practice my aim. I was a clerk with the engineers. Which included some street-smart men. Some were drop outs and some

were psychos.

It seemed that I would learn from them. I experienced life both good and bad. A positive experience along with the sad.

I found the country to be unique. It seemed I was a curious lad.

The longer I live, the less I know.

But some things can’t be forgotten. I have many blessings in my life.

But I have memories of war that are rotten.

All vets have unique stories. Many vets still carry psychological scars.

BELLAMY BROTHERS IN 2025

An exploration of the Cayman Islands

By VICTOR BLOCK Guest Columnist

In 1503, Christopher Columbus came upon a group of islands in what today is known as the Caribbean Sea. The people who lived there called the atolls caiman, their word for crocodile.

I recently followed Chris in exploring those points of land and discovered that they have much to offer today’s travelers. From the typical sun, sand and surf attractions and a lengthy list of activities to intriguing history, the Caymans present a choice of things to see and do usually found in much larger destinations.

Mention Caribbean and “beaches” come to mind. Those on the Cayman Islands are varied and inviting, and most consist of picture-postcard-perfect soft white sand.

Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman, which erosion has shrunk to 5.5 miles long, has been named one of the Caribbean’s “Ultimate Beaches” by Caribbean Travel & Life magazine.

Nestled at the end of Seven Mile Beach is Cemetery Beach, named for its location adjacent to a burial ground. Wandering among the weathered headstones, I found that they relate pages from the islands’ past.

That antiquity is worth exploring and recalling. Over time, those who found their way to this archipelago included shipwrecked sailors, pirates and deserters from British troops in Jamaica.

Grand Cayman, largest of the three islands (22 miles long, eight miles wide), is home to Stingray City, the name given to shallow sandbars which are home to a gathering of

those unusual creatures. After receiving assurances that I could walk among and even pet the strange-looking animals, I got up close and personal with several of them.

Little Cayman lives up - or, rather, down - to its name. It’s one of the last undeveloped islands of any size in the Caribbean and is a place of unspoiled natural beauty and relaxation.

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May 17-23, 2026 - Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard

Family Fun Tours

March 10, 2026 - Grand Victoria Casino

Family Fun Tours

March 21, 2026- Indy Flower & Patio Show

March 10, 2026 - Grand Victoria Casino

May 17-23, 2026 - Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard

May 18 - 23, 2026 - Branson show Extravaganza

On Cayman Brac, I encountered rugged terrain and hidden caves, some of which were used by pirates as safe havens to stash their treasure. This is a bird-watchers paradise, where more than 200 species of residents and migrators have been recorded.

May 17-23, 2026 - Cape Cod & Martha’s Vineyard

April 27-28, 2026 - Antiquing in Elizabeth, IL

March 21, 2026- Indy Flower & Patio Show

J une 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

May 18 - 23, 2026 - Branson show Extravaganza

July 23-29, 2026 - New York City & Statue of Liberty

April 27-28, 2026 - Antiquing in Elizabeth, IL

April 2026 - Wine Tour

April 27-28, 2026 - Antiquing in Elizabeth, IL

J une 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

June 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

J une 8-13,2026 - Lancaster Show Trip

May 2026 - Tulip Festival

April 2026 - Wine Tour

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

July 23-29, 2026 - New York City & Statue of Liberty

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

September 12-19, 2026 - Montreal, Quebec City, Canada Capital

August 31- September 4, 2026 - Mackinac Island

September 12-19, 2026 - Montreal, Quebec City, Canada Capital

October 1-12, 2026 - Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and Hoover Dam

November 7-15, 2026 - Amelia Island, St. Augustin , FL

November 30 - December 5, 2026 - Pigeon Forge & Smokey Mountains

May 2026 - Fort Wayne Zoo

May 2026 - Tulip Festival

May 2026 - Fort Wayne Zoo

June 2026 - Indy Zoo

The Cayman Islands National Museum brings alive the islands’ seafaring history. Intricate ship models are displayed near relics recovered from shipwrecks which dot the surrounding reefs.

May 2026 - Fort Wayne Zoo

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

June 2026 - Indy Zoo

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

June 13, 2026 - Dayton Air Show

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

July 2026 - Peru Circus

July 3, 2026 - The Wilds

August 2026 - Chicago Air Show

Visitors to the Central Caribbean Marine Institute learn about the life, and death, of coral; reef restoration, and other solutions to declining ocean health.

August 2026 - Chicago Air Show

August 2026 - Columbus Zoo

July 2026 - Peru Circus

August 2026 - Columbus Zoo

September 2026 - Fair Oaks Farms

August 2026 - Chicago Air Show

September 2026 - Fair Oaks Farms

September 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

August 2026 - Columbus Zoo

September 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

September 2026 - Wine Tour

September 2026 - Fair Oaks Farms

September 2026 - Wine Tour

September 2026 - Brookfield Zoo

A typical Caymanian house over a century old greeted me at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. It’s surrounded by wetlands, forested areas and manicured gardens and serves as home for blue iguanas, an endangered animal which is endemic to Grand Cayman.

September 2026 - Wine Tour

Continued on page 23

GEORGETOWN WATERFRONT The contrasting blues of water against sky frame the historic buildings of the Georgetown waterfront. Photo by Jo Ann Snover from

SEVEN MILE BEACH The beach has a long stretch of white sand and green palm trees. Photo by Sorin Cola from Dreamstime.com.

scheduled a trip to Mackinac Island from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4, including a tour of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Photo provided by Dennis Donathen.

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald 50th anniversary marked

By DENNIS DONATHEN Owner DD Resales

This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most tragic maritime disasters in Great Lakes history - the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

On Nov. 10, 1975, during a violent storm on Lake Superior, the 729-foot freighter sank without sending a distress call. All 29 crew members aboard were lost.

When launched June 7, 1958, the Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest ship on North America’s Great Lakes. The vessel hauled taconite iron ore from Minnesota to steel mills in Detroit and Toledo and was considered a workhorse of Great Lakes shipping. At the time of its sinking,

Fair flying fares

By CECIL SCAGLIONE

Mature Life Features

Airline fares are jumping all over but the wily wanderer still thinks Sunday is the best day to shop airline flights to book the best deal.

Flying from and to hubs is also cheapest. If you don’t live near one, it might be cheaper to drive to one to catch your flight.

The same applies to your destination. If you’re going to rent a car anyhow, flying to a hub makes good bargain sense.

it remained one of the most advanced and sizable freighters operating on the lakes.

The wreck was located later in November 1975 in more than 500 feet of water near Whitefish Point. It rests in two pieces on the lake bed and is designated as a protected grave site. Over the years, investigators and researchers have studied the wreck, but the exact cause of the sinking has never been definitively determined. Leading theories include massive waves, flooding of cargo holds and structural failure.

The tragedy was memorialized in 1976 by Gordon Lightfoot in his ballad, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, which brought international attention to the disaster. The song’s lyrics helped cement the ship’s legacy in popular culture and ensured the crew would not be forgotten.

In the years following the sinking, changes were made to Great Lakes shipping regulations and safety practices. Those changes included requirements for survival suits, improved depth-finding equipment, enhanced navigation and

positioning systems, increased freeboard and more frequent vessel inspections.

The ship and its crew were commemorated this past November at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, where the ship’s bell is on display. The bell, recovered in 1995, serves as a memorial to the 29 men who died. Each year, a ceremony includes the ringing of the bell once for each crew member.

DD Resales has scheduled a trip to Mackinac Island from Aug. 31 to Sept. 4. On the fourth day of the trip, participants will have the opportunity to take a self-guided tour of the Shipwreck Museum campus, which features a permanent exhibit dedicated to the Edmund Fitzgerald, as well as the 1923 U.S. Coast Guard Surfboat House and the 1861 U.S. Life-Saving Service Lighthouse Keeper’s Quarters.

Fifty years after the sinking, the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald remains a solemn chapter in Great Lakes history and a reminder of the risks faced by those who work on the water.

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An exploration

Continued from page 22

A different scene greets visitors to Georgetown, the capital city of the Cayman Islands, with a population of about 40,000. Despite that relatively small size, the metropolis plays a big role in the local tourism scene.

Up to four cruise ships at a time may dock in the harbor, disgorging passengers eager to take advantage of tax-free shopping opportunities and experience a quick taste of what the islands have to offer. Some check out a smattering

of historic buildings and landmarks which bring to life the town’s and islands’ colorful past.

That story, combined with a wide choice of present-day things to see and do, make the Cayman Islands an inviting destination. So do the facts that you may use U.S. money, inviting public beaches seem to be everywhere and, for snorkelers, colorful reefs and equally colorful marine life are just offshore. For more information, log on to visitcaymanislands.com.

BLUE IGUANA A Grand Cayman Blue Iguana, an endangered species native to the Cayman Islands. Photo provided by Colin Young from Dreamstime.com

STINGRAY CITY Tourists walk among the stingrays in the clear water. Photo by PictureMakersLic from Dreamstime.com.

50TH ANNIVERSARY This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald. DD Resales has