Senior Life - NorthWest Edition - January 2026 by The Papers Inc.

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Northwest editioN reachiNg seNiors iN illiaNa: cook, lake & Porter couNties

January 2026

Vol. 29, No. 10

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FINISHED MURAL — A hummingbird takes center stage of a mural located at Central Park Plaza, designed and painted by local artist Felix “Flex” Maldonado in 2024. Photo provided by the Valparaiso Creative Center.

MURAL WORK — Artist Felix “Flex” Maldonado works on a mural in downtown Valparaiso during Mural Week 2024. Photo provided by Valparaiso Creates Center.

Valparaiso Creative Council reflects on productive year

and prepares for an exciting 2026 By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer The Valparaiso Creative Council has come a long way in a short time and there are plans to further expand in the new year. From mural additions to a speakeasy fundraiser to summer youth camps to highlighting local artists, the VCC has checked off a lot of boxes, but the biggest of 2025 was the opening of the Valpo Creates Center. When 2025 began, Valparaiso Creative Council existed as a nonprofit organization that had monthly board meetings, organized events, initiated mural projects and facilitated exhibits for local art to be

displayed but the organization did not have a physical space to work out of. This past spring VCC moved into an existing building in downtown Valparaiso and transformed it into a space to connect artists with the community. “Transforming this location into an updated and multi-use space for creators took widespread effort between the VCC team, volunteers, donors, building owner/management and generous vendors. It was an ideal location for downtown access, visibility and it aligned with the city’s Creative District vision along Indiana Avenue,” said Executive Director, Jessica Corral. “A lot of previous tenants have housed this space

and it holds historical ties to a ‘maker’s row’ along that city block. After months of renovations, we unveiled the first ever home for the VCC.” The building offers four separate sections in different sizes that are available for rental by artists to offer classes among its uses. “So far, it has been utilized by consistent dance classes, pop-up craft classes such as sewing, knitting, painting, works in progress, meetings, conferences, DJ classes, kids’ birthday parties and group celebrations and more,” said Corral. “It is outfitted to accommodate all ranges of needs and even boasts smart TVs, Google Glass, iPads and podcast equipment.” In 2025, VCC also added four

more murals in Valparaiso (for a total of 10) and also hosted a Mural Walk where the community could engage by witnessing artists doing live painting during the event. “Going back in time to the swinging ‘20s with our Sip and Social Speakeasy was a unique experience where patrons were able to interact with live art in various forms from physical exhibits to live music and dance performances to engaging with in-character actors and magicians,” said Corral. “It was also fun this summer to engage local youth through our second annual Valpo Creates Camp wherein we partnered with three locations this year - the Continued on page 4

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506 Evans Avenue County 1st Office: Lake Plum County Office: 409 Porter E. Lincolnway, Floor Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana222 46383 57 Franklin Street, Suite 203 409 E. Lincolnway, 1st Floor Plum Creek Center Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Valparaiso, Indiana 46383 222 Indianapolis Blvd., Suite 207 Phone: (219) 548-0980Phone: (219) 548-0980 Schererville, Indiana 46375 Schererville, Indiana 46375 , LLC Phone: (219) 548-0980 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: 227-4884 Fax: (219) 548-0993 Phone/Fax: (219)(219) 227-4884 *Certified as an Elder Law Attorney the National Elder Law Foundation *Certified as an Elder Lawby Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation

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2 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

Key Positions

Executive director brings nonprofit experience to new job By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer As Toni Modglin speaks, people arrive at her building, seeking help. It could be assistance with senior insurance, food, medical supplies or a ride somewhere. Whatever the case, the need is there, and Porter County Aging and Community Services tries to help. Modglin joined PCACS as its new executive director in July 2025, bringing with her 25 years of experience in the nonprofit arena. “I’m really excited about this,” said Modglin, a Portage resident. “It’s different from my previous work, now dealing with transportation issues. But I’m getting to know the people and the programs, the clients and the staff. It’s been a really good fit, so far.” Modglin also points to the work PCACS has done over the years, “making life better for the people of Porter County, and I’m very excited to be part of that.” Operating under the jurisdiction of the Northern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and Porter County Council, PCACS offers these services: demand response transportation, featuring 11 vehicles; energy assistance; ramp building; a food bank distribution site; a medical loan closet; state health insurance assistance and, a recent addition, the Hygiene Bank. Through grants and donations, the bank offers such items as deodorant, soap, toothpaste and shampoo. As Modglin noted, this bank has

HELPING WITH HYGIENE — Toni Modglin, executive director of Porter County Aging and Community Services, displays items available through the agency’s Hygiene Bank. Porter County residents have access to such items as deodorant, toothpaste, soap and toothbrushes.

SOMETHING TO EAT — Toni Modglin, executive director of Porter County Aging and Community Services, explains the workings of the agency’s food pantry. Reflective of the trend nationwide, Modglin said calls for food assistance have increased in recent months.

been “very helpful for a lot of folks.” She added energy assistance began taking applications in November and will continue through April. As of early December, she reported the agency has received 400 applications. In addition, Modglin reported, the transportation service has added four drop-off sites outside Porter County: the Veterans Administration site and UChicago Medicine, both in Crown Point, St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart, and Franciscan Health, Michigan City. Modglin said the agency provides 1,500 rides monthly but also keeps a list of the rides it rejects. “That need is great,” Modglin said of transportation, add-

Rhyme & Reason Ministry. At South Bend-based Rhyme & Reason, she served as director of waiver services and assisted with managing clinicians and direct support professionals for an agency serving those with emotional, behavioral and social challenges. From her previous experiences, Modglin said she’s learned “nonprofits make the world go round, and we’re here to make people’s lives better and do what we can.” Modglin believes she brings her experience, community connections and business sense to PCACS. “We’ve been around 50 years and I want to see us move toward the next 50,” she said.

ing, “We’d like to increase the service.” Hardship assistance for such areas as rent and vehicle repairs is also a key need, the executive director reported. “These are rough times for a lot of Porter County residents,” Modglin said, “and some people don’t have enough money.” Speaking in December, Modglin confessed she’s still getting used to the job, adding she wants to “increase community engagement by making connections” around the community. Modglin’s professional experience has been centered around the healthcare and disability services. That includes positions with About Special Kids, InSource, Girls on the Run, NorthShore Health Centers and

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“This agency has a huge impact on the community, and it’s great to be a part of it.” PCACS received two honors in 2025: the Torch Award from the Better Business Bureau of Northern Indiana for integrity and ethics and the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce’s Quality of Life Award. More information on PCACS is available by calling (219) 464-9736 or visiting portercountyacs.org.

Got the blues? Hit the door By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features The first step toward combating loneliness could to be just walking out your front door, according to mental-health experts. Feeling isolated and alone has become a growing problem in today’s society. One simple solution is simply to get involved in an activity that interests you. Outdoor activities can bring interaction with others who have similar interests, whether that includes taking scuba diving or canoeing lessons, joining a bicycle or camping club, getting involved in community outreach or church groups, or any number of creative alternatives. Whatever activity you pick, make sure it’s something you like. Make lifestyle changes that will stick, and new and better relationships will follow. Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 3

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4 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

Milestones

Bowers celebrated 100th birthday Ellen Bowers celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 1. What a way to bring in the New Year.

Bowers was born in a small farm house in rural Lowell, in 1926. Her father was a farmer

and her mother was a housewife. As a child, Bowers tended to the daily chores of the farm life. She would later attend college to obtain her Ph.D. in education. She has taught at a college level in several locations including England. She

was also a hand writing analyst. Bowers was married three times and has one daughter, Theodora, who lives in Ohio and nine grandchildren. Currently, Bowers resides at Brickyard Healthcare in Merrillville. She is a spunky lady

who enjoys reminiscing about her past. On Jan. 1, she was surrounded by her family as she celebrated her 100th birthday. The family had photos of Bowers in her younger days for everyone to view during the celebration.

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www.seniorlifenewspapers.com Senior Life newspapers are monthly publications dedicated to inform, serve and entertain the adults over 50 in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan. Each of the four editions focus on local news, features, photos and profiles for each area. Senior Life is privately owned and published by The Papers Incorporated. CORPORATE OFFICE The Papers Incorporated, 206 S. Main St., P.O. Box 188, Milford, IN 46542, 574-658-4111 STAFF Ron Baumgartner, Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .rbaumgartner@the-papers.com Annette Weaver, Business Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . aweaver@the-papers.com Kristin DeVittorio, Director Of Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . kdevittorio@the-papers.com Deb Patterson, Editor-In-Chief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dpatterson@the-papers.com Account Executive Rebecca Berggren . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . slwest@the-papers.com • 219-241-5483 Lauren Zeugner, Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .lzeugner@the-papers.com Jerry Long, Circulation Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . jlong@the-papers.com EDITORIAL DEADLINES Elkhart/Kosciusko Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15th Month Prior St. Joseph Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15th Month Prior Allen Edition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th Month Prior Northwest Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20th Month Prior SUBSCRIPTIONS Mailed subscriptions are available, prepaid with order at $37 for one year; and $64 for two years. (Select one edition.) Your cancelled check will serve as your receipt. To order a subscription, call 574-658-4111. ADVERTISING For advertising deadlines call your sales representative. The existence of advertising in Senior Life is not meant as an endorsement of any product, services or individuals by anyone except the advertisers. Signed letters or columns are the opinion of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publishers. To advertise contact Rebecca Berggren at 219-241-5483 or slwest@the-papers.com. PRODUCTION Senior Life is digitally composed on Macintosh Computers using Digital Technology’s Newspaper Publishing Suite software and Photoshop software. Submit ads as .tif, .eps or .pdf files. ASCII (generic text) may be submitted via email or on CD/DVD. Check our website at www.the-papers.com for guidelines on preparing ads electronically. Graphics for ads can be emailed as PDF files to adcomp@the-papers.com. If you have any questions, give us a call and we’ll walk you through it. REPRINT RIGHTS Reprinting in part or whole of any article in Senior Life is not allowed without express written permission from Senior Life.

MEETING THE PUBLIC — VCC board member Salena Elish, left, and VCC Board President Matthew Jenetopulos welcome the community to the 2025 Mural Walk. Photo provided by the Valparaiso Creative Council.

Valparaiso Creative Continued from page 1

Boys and Girls Club, YMCA and Hilltop Neighborhood House to bring a variety of creative exposure and engagement to kids at camp.” Also a highlight according to Corral was “seeing the ongoing rotations of art featured in our Art+Innovation program where artists are featured quarterly both in downtown Valpo as well as at our extension at Purdue Northwest in Hammond,” she said. “The quarterly receptions to celebrate these creatives have been a special opportunity for the public to learn more about the behind the scenes.” Looking ahead, Corral is excited to share the launch of the Sand + Steel Art Fest. “It will be the perfect summer kick-off in downtown Valparaiso, hosted by Valparaiso Creative Council and Valpo Events. The weekend celebration begins with a free community concert featuring the South Shore Orchestra in Central Park Plaza on Friday, June 26,” she said. “Then for Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th, a two-day arts festival invites attendees to peruse fine art by local and regional artists, participate in an immersive showcase of all art forms, celebrate creative community activation and engage in some fun Sand + Steel themed activities for families and audi-

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTION — Members of the public were invited to a paint party at the Valparaiso Creates Center to create pieces tht would go inot a collaboratie mural in downtown Valparaiso. Shown is a member of the public painting one of the pieces that will be used in the mural. Photo provided by Valparaiso Creates Center. ences of all ages and abilities.” For more information, visit valpocreates.org and follow @

valpocreats on Instagram and Valparaiso Creative Council in Facebook.

ties for local business leaders, professionals and community members. The event is open to both chamber members and the public, but seating is limited to 300 attendees, and tickets are expected to sell quickly. The luncheon will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Central Standard Time, Thursday, Feb. 19, at Woodland Park‘s Oakwood Hall,

2100 Willowcreek Road, Portage. Attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets as soon as possible to guarantee a seat. Tickets are $30 for chamber members and $40 for non-chamber members. For registration and additional information, visit the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce website atportageinchamber. com.

Chamber announces event with Frank J. Mrvan

The Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce recently announced its upcoming Lunch with a Lawmaker event, featuring keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, who will provide important congressional updates impacting Northwest Indiana. The luncheon will include catered Greek cuisine from Meraki Greek Street Food, along with valuable networking opportuni-

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 5

Have you made your will? Then your children will end up in probate

CLIFFORD J. RICE Elder Law Attorney It’s a brand-new year! Like many Americans you may have made some New

Year’s resolutions. Perhaps a resolution you should include is to get your personal affairs in order. According to the American Bar Association, 60% of all Americans have done no end-of-life planning whatsoever, not even a will! You could do a will, but wills end up in probate. Do you really want your children to end up in probate court when you pass away? If you’re like most Americans, you may be considering a living trust rather than simply creating a will. The assets that are in the living trust can totally avoid probate. There are a number of other documents that would also be present in a good estate plan, including:

A living will to make sure you’re not forever hooked up to machines if there’s no hope for recovery. A HIPAA waiver so it’s not a felony for the doctors to communicate with your spouse or your adult children in the event that you become disabled. An advance medical directive so the doctors and family will know what persons you want to be in charge to make long-term medical decisions in the event you become unable to make your own medical decisions. The in-home healthcare Instructions. Nursing homes cost an average of $9,000 a month in this part of Indiana. If you have a good Living

Trust that contains In-Home Healthcare Instructions, there’s a good chance it can keep you or your spouse out of a nursing home, saving most of that $9,000 each month, meanwhile maintaining your own privacy and dignity and allowing you to remain in your own home. We can include a funeral planning declaration, personal effects distribution memorandums and build in remarriage protection, so that if your surviving spouse gets remarried after you die, they don’t lose everything you own to a new spouse. Because we are an elder law firm, we can even help protect your life savings from nursing home spend-

downs. Want to learn more? Come to Pesto’s, 3123 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, IN: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7 or 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 at Kelsey’s, 2300 Morthland Drive, Valparaiso. Reservations required; seating is limited! Call now: (800) 303-7423 or visit riceandrice.com.

S. O. S. – Speaking of Seniors

Crown Point client thanked me By WOODROW WILCOX Senior Problem Resolution Officer Senior Care Insurance Services On March 11, 2025, a client from Crown Point visited me

in our Merrillville office to thank me personally for getting rid of a $1,600 medical bill that he had brought to me weeks earlier. When I first read the papers that he had brought to me, I knew it was a case of Medicare failing to send claims information to his Medicare supplement insurance company. That happens often.

Federal Medicare employees and contractors pretend that the Medicare system works all the time. It does not. Dealing with Medicare issues to help seniors takes specialized knowledge. Otherwise, the senior and the person trying to help, will be running around in circles. The client thanked me for helping him stop running

in circles and getting the medical bill with the hospital paid. Note: Woodrow Wilcox is the senior medical bill caseworker at Senior Care Insurance Services in Merrillville, Indiana. He has saved clients of that firm more than $ 3 million dollars by fighting mistakes and fraud in the Medicare billing system. Wilcox wrote the book Solving Medicare Problem$ which can be ordered through book stores or online.

New Year, New Beginning Plan Now To Make Sure Your Future Is Secure Discover How to Protect Your Assets and Provide For Your Loved Ones Through Trusts and Nursing Home Asset Protection Free Workshops: Reservations Required Call Today To Reserve Your Seat! Wednesday, January 7th 6:00 p.m. Pesto’s 3123 Calumet Avenue Valparaiso

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6 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

Spotlight

Pilot was inspired by uncles who were World War II veterans By CARRIE STEINWEG Feature Writer Joseph “Joe” Leydon traces his love of aviation back to childhood. Two of his uncles were World War II veterans and pilots, and one regularly took him flying. He took his first flight at age six and it was life-changing. It was an experience that immediately sparked his fascination with aviation. Leydon’s uncle often let him take the controls and taught him the basics of piloting, teaching him how to keep the plane level and fly simple circles. “Those early flights ignited a passion that stayed with me throughout my life,” he said. Leydon completed his initial flight training in Peru, Ill., followed by additional instrument and high-performance training at flight schools in the Chicago and Fort Lauderdale areas. Despite his ongoing interest,

it wasn’t until age 40 that he obtained his pilot’s license. “It’s a milestone that proves it’s never too late to chase a lifelong dream. Flying was something I had always wanted to do, and one day I decided to stop thinking about it and just do it. Age doesn’t matter - commitment does,” he said. “Earning my license later in life gave me a deep appreciation for the discipline and responsibility that comes with aviation. At that point, I didn’t take a single lesson for granted.” Today, Leydon owns his own aircraft. He has long integrated aviation into his business endeavors, but for him the most rewarding part of piloting is the mobility and convenience it provides his family. “My favorite part of flying is the freedom and peace I feel when I’m in the air. It’s always been the most peaceful place I’ve ever found. The

LOVE OF FLIGHT — Shown are Letti Becerra and Joe Leydon. Joe was introduced to flying at a young age by an uncle who was a World War II pilot. At age 40, he went ahead and earned his pilot’s license, which he has integrated into his business endeavors. Photo provided by Joe Leydon. air is the one place where my mind truly feels quiet,” he said. “Flying isn’t just transportation — it’s a mental reset. Once the wheels leave the ground,

everyday stress disappears and it is replaced by focus, calm and perspective. Up there, everything slows down. The noise fades away, and you’re fully

present in the moment. There’s nothing quite like it.” Originally from Peru, Ill., Leydon has spent the past eight years calling Northwest Indiana home. A recently retired automotive executive, Leydon built a 42-year career owning and operating Chevrolet, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz dealerships. After starting out in sales, he worked his way into management and ultimately purchased the businesses he once worked for, turning a lifelong passion for cars into a successful career. Outside of flying, he enjoys traveling, boating, hiking, sports, spending time with family and staying engaged in various business interests. Leydon comes from a large Irish Catholic family with eight children. His parents, both in their 90s, are still living and thriving. His siblings are spread across the country— another reason he appreciates having an aircraft. Family is Leydon’s biggest priority - his significant other, Letti, their daughter, Jena, and their large extended families. “We often plan family travel together and enjoy the convenience of having our own aircraft,” he said. He appreciates the friendships he has made through piloting. “The aviation community is one of the most welcoming groups I’ve ever been part of,” Leydon said. “You can’t help but make new friends - pilots look out for each other.” His logbook reads like a travel journal, taking him from all corners of the country - and everywhere in between - as well as to the Bahamas. Flying to island destinations is something he said really stands out. “You’re landing somewhere you can only truly appreciate from the air and that never gets old,” he said. “Flying turns the journey into part of the adventure, not just a way to get there.” His advice to individuals considering pursuing flying is, “Do it. You’ll never regret it!” “I encourage young people not to be intimidated by the process or cost. If it’s something that excites you, start somewhere - discovery flights, lessons, anything. Aviation opens doors you didn’t even know existed,” he said. “Flying will change how you see the world - literally and figuratively.”

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 7

life. on purpose. A Healthy Lifestyle as You Age

Healthy Reminders

for Adults over 50! 1. Take Your Medication as Directed

All medications, whether over-the-counter or prescribed, include directions for safe use. Be sure to follow all printed guidelines and the advice of your doctor to ensure that the medicine works safely and effectively.

2. Don’t Overdo It

Using alcohol and medications unintentionally or to cope with big life changes is called substance misuse. Help can begin with diagnosis, addressing chronic health issues, rebuilding support systems and starting treatment.

3. Check in with Your Mood

Feeling persistently sad or that you don’t have value can indicate depression, especially when these feelings affect your daily routine. Depression can be treated with talk therapy and/or medication. You can also lower the risk of depression when you prepare for major life changes, stay physically active, and share how you are feeling with family or friends.

4. Find Purpose Each Day

Funding provided by the State of Indiana Division of Mental Health and Addiction

Feeling that your life has purpose is a key to fulfillment. It can impact your health positively, and may also slow down aging and increase longevity. Make choices and plan activities based on what is enjoyable, interesting, and important to you.

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This 6-week series takes a fun, interactive and educational look at aging. To learn more or schedule your group, visit www.porterstarke.org/lifeonpurpose

• Visit www.porterstarke.org Discover even more healthy ways to live Life. On Purpose.

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8 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

Finance

When Mr. Dow met Mr. Jones By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Nearly everyone has asked: what is or was a Dow Jones Average? Is it a person, place or just a business moniker? It’s all of the above. It is a weekday reading of 30 key American stocks reflecting the nation’s business climate. Charles Dow and Edward Jones met as writers at the Providence Evening Press. Jones could skillfully and quickly analyze a financial report. They were committed to reporting on Wall Street without bias. Other reporters at the time could be bribed into reporting favorably on a company to drive up stock prices. Dow and Jones refused to do so. They believed Wall Street needed a financial news bureau. So they started the business firm of Dow, Jones & Co. in 1882. They developed an intricate system of reporting business news that allowed investors and business leaders to keep track of daily stock pricing. In 1883, the company started an afternoon two-page business summary called the Customers’ Afternoon Letter.

Their daily stock report included nine railroads, one steamship line, and Western Union. By 1889, the partners realized it was time to transform their two-page news summary into a real newspaper. They founded the Wall Street Journal daily business newspaper. The first issue of the WSJ appeared July 8, 1889. It cost 2 cents per issue or $5 for a oneyear subscription. Dow was the editor and Jones managed the desk work. Although his name wasn’t on the Dow Jones Co.’s logo, Charles Bergstresser became an important founding partner. The three journalists opened a wire service in 1882 that delivered news to investment houses along Wall Street. Their operation was in a basement of a building next door to the New York Stock Exchange. Bergstresser chose to be a silent partner. His strength lay in his interviewing skills. Jones once remarked Bergstresser could make a wooden Indian talk and tell the truth. The WSJ has become one of the most respected financial publications in the world. It developed a series of principles for understanding and analyz-

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ing market behavior that later became the groundwork for technical analysis. Charles Dow often warned his WSJ staff reporters about exchanging slanted stories for stock tips or free stock. Crusading for honesty in financial reporting, Dow published the names of companies that hesitated to give their information about profit and loss. Soon after, the newspaper gained power and respect from the reading public. Vermont Royster, later the editor of the WSJ, said “Dow always believed business information was not the ‘private province of brokers and tycoons.’” Dow came up with a simple tracking system to monitor the nation’s daily business climate. By tracking the closing stock price of 12 companies, adding up the stock prices, and dividing the total by 12, Dow came up with his “stock average.” In 1896, the first such average appeared in the WSJ. Later, the Dow Jones Co. expanded the report to a “20 Active Stock” index, which included 18 railroad and two non-rail stocks That has been expanded and is known as the “Dow Jones Industrial Average,” or DJIA. In 1893, many mergers began taking place, resulting in the formation of huge corporations. These corporations sought markets for their stock shares. The wildly speculative market meant investors needed information about stock activity, hence the active stock listing became vital to investors. By 1898, the WSJ was a morning daily newspaper covering more than just financial news. Unlike other newspapers, the WSJ reported on such events as war without added rhetoric. Dow also added editorial columns called “Review

DOW JONES CO-FOUNDER — Edward Davis Jones, a statistical expert and co-founder with Charles Dow of Dow Jones & Company. Jones was instrumental in developing the firm’s financial news services and the methodologies behind the original stock averages. Photo from Fyllis Hockman, Mature Life Features. and Outlook” and “Answers to Inquirers” in which readers sent in investment questions. Jones retired in 1899, but Dow and Bergstresser stayed on. Dow continued writing editorials, focusing on the government’s position regarding American business. The WSJ set a precedent in reporting during the election of 1900 by endorsing White House incumbent President William McKinley. He was re-elected with Theodore Roosevelt as vice president. Over the years many com-

WALL STREET JOURNALIST — Charles Henry Dow, American journalist and founder of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones & Company. Dow is recognized for creating the Dow Jones Industrial Average, one of the most widely followed stock market indices in the world. Photo from Fyllis Hockman, Mature Life Features. panies have been added or subtracted depending upon their company’s financial position. For example, K-Mart was dropped a few years ago. General Electric and Western Union were the only companies that survived the ups and downs of the many DJIA listings, but they no longer are among today’s 30 Dow industrials. The current DJIA consists of 30 stocks and remains one of the world’s oldest and most popular stock indices. Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Replace missing manuals By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features It’s time to repair your ailing air-conditioning unit. Or your fridge is on the fritz and you need your manual to help rectify the problem. Do you know where it is?

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 9

Sports

Veteran swim instructor nurtures students of all ages Text and Photos By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer After 26 years of teaching swimming at the Valparaiso Family YMCA, Phyllis Simpson can share many success stories: • the grown woman who overcame her fear of water to become a regular swimmer. • the 3-year-old boy who can now swim a long distance. • the girl who learned to swim, then joined a swim team. “It’s not me. It’s them,” Simpson, 60, insists. “It’s them making the effort. I’m just nurturing them.” A lifelong swimmer, Simpson moved to Valparaiso from Chicago, where she had instructed swimming at a local YMCA. Now an aquatics instructor trainer at the Valpo Y, Simpson has worked in home daycare,as a medical assistant, as a preschool teacher and working with special-needs students. “I absolutely love working with kids, the little ones,” said the grandmother, expecting her second grandchild. At the Valpo Y, Simpson teaches private lessons to students of all ages, 6 months old to adults; teaches parent-child aquatics classes; and helps train the aquatics staff. “I enjoy my families, the people,” she said, “getting to watch people grow as they learn.” Simpson teaches two parent-child classes, about 20 private lessons and two special-needs classes. On one occasion, she recalled, six 2-year-olds did 5- to 10-second back flips. “It was awesome,” Simpson said. Her love of swimming started when her father bought a pool for their yard.

WATER INSTRUCTOR — Phyllis Simpson moves rough the leisure pool at the Valparaiso Family YMCA. Simpson is the aquatics instructor trainer at the Valpo Y. “I love the feel of the water, and that I can do this at my age,” she said. “As you get older, if you don’t keep moving, you lose the ability to move.” According to All Senior Care Living Center, swimming helps older adults with cardiovascular health, enhanced flexibility, reduced joint pain and stress and reducing the chance of falling. “It’s a low-impact and allbody workout,” Simpson said. Regardless of age, the swim instructor wants her students to “get the confidence to get in and enjoy the water. There are so many activities you can do in the water.” Over the years, Simpson has helped “break in” new aquatics staff, which she has also enjoyed. She cited the young staff’s “commitment to the people, families and community. I love mentoring the young staff. The connections we make do make a difference.” Among those mentored is Grace Scanlan, 18, a YMCA lifeguard from Portage. “I love how she’s great with the kids in the program,” said Scanlan. “She made me feel very welcome when I was new. She brings a lot of positive energy.” Simpson assists staff at in-services, teaching young Full Color Circulars/Inserts Newsletters Postcards Booklets/ Catalogs Full Color Brochures

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people how to work with people of all ages and skill levels. “I want to instill something in young people,” she explained, “because they want to do a good job, but they may not know how.” Simpson attributes her mentoring skills to a pair of women who took her under their water wings, Ruth Canavaugh and the late Lorrie Woycik. Cavanaugh, she said, had a way of making feel comfortable in the pool, while Woycik,who worked with Special Olympics, made people feel welcome. “I want to see the good work they started continue,” Simpson said. “We have to continue it.”

WORKING WITH YOUTH — Phyllis Simpson, an aquatics instructor trainer at the Valparaiso Family YMCA, works with Theo Hood, 9, during a class in the Valpo Y leisure pool. Simpson teaches several classes each week, working with all ages.

Coupons costly By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Unless you’re a black-belt shopper, clipping coupons can only be a means of slicing your budget. Most coupons are designed to nudge you into buying a new product.

Just ignore them, unless you spot one that’s for something you always use, such as a particular toothpaste or brand of laundry detergent. Shop coupons just as you would shop items in the supermarket. If you don’t use the product, pass it up. Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

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10 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

Dining/Leisure/Entertainment

Blast to the Past! -

‘50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’ Paul Simon Paul Simon, in partnership with heavenly voiced Art Garfunkel, established himself as a major recording force during A Boomer Blast the 1960s. To The Past When Simon By RANDAL and GarC. HILL funkel went their separate ways in 1970, each continued as a solo act. While Garfunkel recorded a few successful albums, Simon consistently did him better, especially with “Still Crazy After All These Years,” his solo LP that reached Number One on Billboard. It is from this disc that “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” came, following such previous hits as “Mother and Child Reunion” and “Loves Me Like a Rock.” In 1975, Paul and his first wife, Peggy Harper, called it quits after six years of marriage. One day, Simon had their 3-year-old son Harper at his Manhattan apartment, and Paul was trying to teach the lad how to rhyme words. Paul’s enjoyable endeavors ended up working their way into “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover,” a masterfully crafted piece of storytelling. Here Simon presents a snapshot of the tale as a dialogue, almost as a scene from a movie, as we witness his protagonist rushing from the ruins of a marriage into a (hopefully) better situation this time around. Unlike numerous country classics, Paul’s creation of a divorce song doesn’t get bogged down with self-pity or overwrought reflection. One can almost imagine the New York-born musical poet slyly winking as his rhyming list unfolds without a trace of

viciousness or callousness. He recorded “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” around the rat-a-tattat of a military-style drumbeat and was backed up by three women singers of note - Valerie Simpson, Patti Austin and Phoebe Snow; their voices, though, are pushed into the background so as not to distract from Paul’s playful poetry. During the narrator’s journey, his awaiting lady friend offers what she thinks will help assuage Simon’s concerns about his departure: “The problem is all inside your head,” she said to me “The answer is easy if you take it logically “I’d like to help you in your struggle to be free “There must be 50 ways to leave your lover.” Did Paul actually did come up with exactly 50 clever lines involving the abandoning of a relationship? The answer is yes, but only five survived the limitations of a vinyl 45 at the time: “You just slip out the back, Jack “Make a new plan, Stan “You don’t need to be coy, Roy “Hop on the bus, Gus “Just drop off the key, Lee.” Paul Simon fans were thus deprived of a number of clever gems: “Act like a slob, Bob “Flee to a cave, Dave “Keep on lyin’, Brian “Offer to pay alimony, Tony “Finally use that canoe, Lou “Jump off the Staten Island ferry, Jerry “Say they’re not funny, Sunny.” Paul has married twice more to actress Carrie Fisher, then to singer Edie Brickell. He has always dismissed “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” as merely “a nonsense song.” Nonsense? Hardly. In fact, this clever concoction proves that you were really on the ball, Paul! Bibliography - Book: BronKirk Muspratt Music Director/Conductor

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son, Fred. “The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (Third Edition),” (p. 428) New York: Billboard Publications, Inc., 1992. Internet: Breihan, Tom. “’50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’ by Paul Simon,” Aug. 23, 2019; stereogum.com. The Simon quote is from here; Leonetti, Michael. “The Other 45 Ways to Leave Your Lover That Paul Simon Didn’t Want You to See,” April 6, 2020, pointsincase.com. A 2011 PHOTO — Paul Simon playing his guitar at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., May 27, 2011. Photo by Matthew Straubmuller, ffrom flickr.com/photos/ imatty35/5766935439/imatty35/.

Breathing easy This is about a medical concern I had last summer. I’m fine, but this is my only chance to write funny stuff about a IN A lung biopsy. NUTSHELL I hope. By DICK When I arWOLFSIE rived at the hospital, I met Jill, the RN, and immediately asked her if the doctor assigned to me was good at what he did. Jill confirmed he was “the best we have here.” I admire nurses, but I don’t think they are as forthcoming as waitresses. “How’s the tilapia tonight, Tina?” “Not so good; it’s a little fishy. I’d try something else.” You don’t get this kind of honesty from your average nurse. “Is this Dr. Jones a good radiologist?” “He’s no Dr. Smith, but I’m sure you’ll will be OK. Maybe you should try someone else.” Jill explained to me that after the procedure I would return to the recovery area and

would not be allowed out of bed for any reason for two hours. “So I am going to encourage you to go to the bathroom now,” she said. “How are you going to do that?” I asked. The nurse seemed confused by my attempt at being funny, but my wife became absolutely hysterical at this remark. There was even some talk of sedating her. I wanted to know if I was the physician’s first patient that morning, because the needle probe requires really good aim and I was hoping he had a chance to warm up on someone else first. When I saw the doctor, he informed me that we’d be talking to each other during the biopsy, but I would have no memory of what I said. He promised me that, in the very unlikely event I said something amusing (he apparently reads my column every week), he’d note it on my chart. During the four hours I was there, the staff constantly asked my name and date of birth, confirming that I was the right person getting the correct procedure, and also to see if the meds they had administered were affecting my ability to

recall information. Sometimes the same people asked me this question over and over again, so I started to worry about their memories. Later, the staff brought me lunch, but before I took a bite, I had to confirm my name and date of birth again. This time it was because the hospital will not buy you a meal if you’re just having a $69 heart scan. The food was good, but I’m a messy eater. When I was digging in, the wrist port for my IV got clogged up with mashed potatoes. The nurse said she was required note it on my medical records. Technically, it was a blockage. Mary Ellen came back into the recovery room and sat by the bed. Jill came in and asked my name and date of birth for the 15th time. I responded appropriately, but then just to throw her off, I asked her who the strange woman was sitting next to me. I told the nurses how incredibly nice everyone had been. She informed me that the staff treats everyone the same way, no matter who they are. But just to be sure, I told her anyway: Richard Wolfsie, March 5, 1947.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 11

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60. *S&H Green ____ 63. Non motorized vessel 64. I have 66. Nev.’s neighbor 68. Offspring, collectively 69. Rank above maj. 70. Visual 71. QBR in football, e.g. 72. Will Ferrell’s Christmas classic 73. Like a gymnast DOWN 1. *What registers do 2. Nonclerical 3. Football legend Graham 4. Unborn vertebrate 5. ____ of Cancer 6. *Like freezer aisle “Cuisine” 7. “____ Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel 8. California/Nevada lake 9. Mediterranean Strip 10. Not written 11. Dull one 12. Pen juice 15. Home to Sarajevo 20. Port city in Japan 22. Like marines in slogan 24. Cowboy’s bedding 25. Flip-flop 26. Plural of aura 27. Adam Sandler’s “____ Gems” 29. Manual communication gesture 31. High school ball 32. Bert’s TV buddy 33. Ice in a cocktail

Italian Wedding Soup Forget the marble-size meatballs you find in many versions of this Italian Wedding Soup. In this easy recipe, they’re full-size, full-flavored and plenty filling. 6 servings; Active Time 20 min.; Total Time 20 min. INGREDIENTS: 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1-1/3 cups chopped yellow onion 2/3 cup chopped carrot 2/3 cup chopped celery 2 tablespoons minced garlic 6 cups unsalted chicken broth 6 ounces orzo, preferably whole-wheat 1-1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 24 cooked chicken meatballs (12 ounces) 4 cups baby spinach 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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DIRECTIONS: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, 4 to 5 minutes. Add broth, cover and bring to a boil. Add orzo, oregano and salt; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is just tender, about 9 minutes. Stir in meatballs and spinach; cook until the meatballs are heated through and the spinach is wilted, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve sprinkled with cheese and drizzled with the remaining 3 tablespoons oil.

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12 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

Faith

Salvation Army driver putting faith on wheels Text and Photos By STEVE EUVINO Feature Writer There are many ways to serve your faith community. By driving, Rich Mueller helps deliver food to the Salvation Army of Porter County’s food pantry. Mueller, 73, is a Liberty Township resident in Porter County. He retired from the construction industry in 2016. Working for a general contractor in Chicago, he lived in St. Charles and volunteered for that community’s Salvation Army. Moving to Northwest Indiana, he began volunteering at the local Salvation Army around 2022. As a driver, Mueller picks up food from several Valparaiso businesses. Those donations help the Salvation Army’ food pantry, open Tuesday through Thursday. “The people [at Salvation Army] are great to work with,” Mueller said. “Their mission is to help those under-resourced and to help those in disasters and to help people. That’s the heart of what they do, and it’s good to be a part of that.” Recalling Jesus’ quote that the “the poor you will always be with you,” Mueller noted, “There are people who are hungry, and we must help them. The Salvation Army does that and other things.” He added, “There will always be people who need assistance,

HAVE WHEELS WILL SERVE — Rich Mueller is a volunteer driver for the Salvation Army of Porter County. A reitred construction worker, Mueller picks up donations from local businesses for the Salvation Army food pantry. and the government can’t always help them. Salvation Army is the first line of defense for these people.” According to national Salvation Army figures, 12.80% of U.S. families with children are food insecure. This season the Salvation Army again had its bell ringers. A buddy who sometimes accompanies Mueller on food runs was instead standing in the cold, ringing that bell. “He had the tough job,” Mueller commented. Also this time of year, the Salvation Army helps with food, utilities, rent and other assistance. The facility also sponsors a Christmas Angel Tree and Toy Shop, along with an Adopt-A-Family program. Operating since 2021, the

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Toy Shop makes it possible for adults to shop with their children for gifts. Mueller, who has been through several Toy Shop seasons, reflected, “To see these people being able to provide a nice holiday for their children is very rewarding. People are very grateful for this.” Mueller and his wife, Laurie, have two children and five grandchildren. The Muellers are members of Bethel Church, Hobart-Portage Campus, where they are involved in various ministries, including Bible study. As to living one’s faith, Mueller said, “It’s easy to talk about your faith, but living your faith is where the rubber meets the road. That’s where you’re doing things to help others, like feeding the hungry. I try to let that be a part of my lifestyle.” Mueller added he gives of his time, treasure and talents to Bethel. He had planned to participate in a 2024 mission trip to Guatemala, but a heart attack prevented him from going. Feeling better now, he hopes to make a future trip. Turning to Scripture, Mueller points to the often-quoted John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he sent his one

SUPPLYING NEEDED GOODS — Rich Mueller stands by some of the bedding supplies the Salvation Army of Porter County distributes from New Hope Church of God in Valparaiso. Mueller, 73, is a volunteer driver who regularly picks up food donations for the Salvation Army. and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” “God did all this,” Mueller stated, “that I might have a

relationship with him. He came as a baby with a mission of dying on the cross, so I might have faith and believe in him.”

Purdue Extension announces its 2026 programs Purdue Extension–Lake County, Health and Human Sciences, recently announced upcoming educational programs in early 2026. These programs will provide participants with valuable knowledge and training. All programs will be held at the Purdue Extension – Lake County office located at 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. The program, Cooking With an Air Fryer, will take place from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 8. This program is designed to

introduce participants to the safe and effective use of air fryers, with a focus on food safety and healthier cooking methods. Register at: https:// tinyurl.com/2026AirFry The program, Train Your Brain: Nutrition, Neurobics, and Notable Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy, will take place from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 13. Participants will learn that through adopting multiple healthy lifestyle choices, including a healthy diet, not smoking, regular exercise, cognitive stimulation, and social interactions, may decrease their risks of cognitive decline and dementia. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/ Brain13Jan ServSafe Food Manager 1-Day Class & Exam, will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 4. ServSafe educates food service workers about food safety. ServSafe Food Protection Manager is the highest ServSafe certification. Register at: cvent.me/ MO09gL Registration is now open, and space may be limited. Interested individuals are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. For more information or questions, contact Purdue Extension-Lake County at (219) 755-3240 or email lcurley@ purdue.edu If you are in need of accommodations or an interpreter or translator to attend this program contact Linda Curley at lcurley@purdue.edu or (219) 755-3240.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 13

Assisted Living, nursing And rehAbiLitAtion guide Aperion Care - Demotte

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Ignite Medical Resort of Crown Point 1555 S. Main Street, Crown Point, IN 46307 (219) 323-8700 www.ignitemedicalresorts.com Post Hospital Rehabilitation & Care, Physical, Occupational, Speech, Stroke Recovery, Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Rehab, Wound Care, Infection Management, Renal Management, Resort-Style Senior Living, New & Impeccably Designed Facility

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14 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

Health & Fitness

Bursitis doesn’t have to become a pain in the neck By JAMES GAFFNEY Mature Life Features You pick up your newborn grandchild and feel all of the joy and love in your heart that a proud grandparent is expected to experience when a throbbing pain in your shoulder ruins that special moment. Bursitis happens. It occurs when a bursa is inflamed. We each have about 160 bursae in our body. These little, fluid-filled sacs cushion pressure and lubricate points between our bones, tendons, and muscles near our joints. They’re lined with synovial cells that produce a lubricant to reduce friction. This cushioning and lubrication allow our joints to move easily. When a person has bursitis - inflammation of the bursa - movement or pressure is painful. Overuse, injury and an infection from gout or rheumatoid arthritis may cause bursitis. Any bursa can become affected, but the most common places are the shoulder, elbow, ankle, knee, buttocks, hip and thigh. Many cases are mild so lots of people with bursitis sit it out or self-treat and never see a doctor about it. Medical experts estimate one in every 200 patient visits are because

of bursitis. Bursitis is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms: pain that increases with movement or pressure, tenderness even without movement, swelling, and loss of movement. Bursitis is caused by an infection and may include these additional symptoms: fever, the affected area is red, and the affected area feels hot when touched. Bursitis can be caused by an injury, infection, or preexisting conditions in which crystals can form in the bursa. An injury can irritate the tissue inside the bursa and cause inflammation. Bursitis caused by an injury usually takes time to develop. Instances of bursitis include: • Tennis elbow: common among tennis players and golfers, repetitive bending of the elbow can lead to injury and inflammation. • Clergyman’s knee: repeated kneeling can cause injury and swelling to the bursae in the knee. • Shoulder: caused by repeated overhead lifting or reaching upwards. • Ankle: can be caused by walking too much and with the wrong shoes. It’s also common among ice skaters and athletes.

• Buttocks: the bursae in that area can become inflamed after sitting on a hard surface, such as a bicycle, for

a long time. • Hips: long-distance runners as well as middle-distance runners and sprinters who train a

Walk away from poor health By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features “We have met the enemy and he is us,” proclaimed Pogo, the philosophical possum created by the late Walt Kelly. The quote, which was first used on a 1970 poster promoting Earth Day, has been and still can be applied to many aspects of human behavior. Including what we do about our health. While do-gooders blame fast-food chains for stuffing us with calorie- and carbohydrate-crammed cuisine, and look askance at youngsters who’s only exercise is thumb-texting handheld gadgets, they need only look into themselves for reasons they and their families are fat, unfit, and unhealthy. And so does everyone else. We’re overweight because we eat too much and exercise too little. We’re too tired to do any exercise because we didn’t get enough sleep the night before. We would do more if our back, legs, shoulder, arms didn’t ache and hurt so much. These are just a

few of the excuses. If anything like these affect you, you’re the cause. You can start now to become the solution. Don’t wait for a milestone, like a birthday, summer, or gimme-time-to-get-ready. The best way to get rid of unhealthy behavior is to walk away from it. That’s right, just walk. Unless you’re suffering a debilitating disease or have some physical infirmity, take a walk right now. You can finish reading this when you get back. If there are reasons you think you should not take a stroll, discuss this with your doctor. You don’t have to buy any equipment or special clothing. Don what you wear to the mall. While some climates are more comfortable than others, you can walk in any weather. Nor do you have to go far. If you’re tired after a block from home, turn around and come back. You can do the same tomorrow or go a little farther. And so on. What you’re doing is developing a habit, taking time to do something that’s good for you. You’ll adjust as you go along. Do you like walking in the early morning, or is a midday

after-lunch trek more enjoyable? Pick your own time. And length of time. Physical fitness gurus long have touted a 10,000-steps-a-day - about five miles - program as an avenue to health and fitness. If that sounds daunting, don’t worry. Do whatever you can. And enjoy it. There are other variations, whether or not you cover 10,000 steps. Pick your legs up with your knees instead of swinging your feet to move along. This strengthens your hips and adds balance to your legs. Swing your arms straight out in front and as far back as you can as you stride along. That helps limber up and strengthen your aching back muscles. If, as you progress, you feel like heading toward that 10,000-step goal, pick up a pedometer at a sports-equipment store and track your advancement. At this stage, you also should check with your doctor to make sure you don’t get too ambitious - or too strenuous. You don’t have to do it every day. Taking a day or two off to rest every week can make the outings more pleasant.

Untreated hearing loss can be frustrating and can cause isolation Some of the signs of hearing loss include: • Misunderstanding people • Turning the TV or radio up • Being unable to hear highpitched sounds • Asking people to repeat themselves • Having problems in noisy environments • Speaking loudly • Experiencing rising in the ear or head • Difficulties on the telephone. How Clear Ear Is Different Clear Ear listens to its clients about their hearing aid(s) needs and lifestyle. Clear Ear provides the latest technology and offers a free hearing aid evaluation. Clear Ear offers: • Free cleaning on all makes and models of hearing aids • Traveling to a client’s to the home if they are unable to come to the office • Custom products at affordable prices with no hidden charges. Untreated hearing loss can be frustrating and can cause isolation When a customer comes to Clear Ear Hearing Aid Center, they experience a life-changing event. Clear Ear Hearing Aid Cen-

ter accepts all major insurance coverages, including: Blue Cross/Anthem; Highmark; Carpenters; Sheet Metal Locals and Unions; Teamsters; United Healthcare; Humana; Hearing Care Solutions; Nations; TruHearing; Aetna; and more. Call (219) 934-9747 for details. With the help of hearing instrument(s) a person’s quality of life can improve in many ways. Hearing Instrument(s) can help with an individual’s relationships, social life, job performance and mental health by keeping the brain active. Hearing instrument(s) have come a long way with various advances such as smaller, more discreet designs, improved comfort and fit; and better sound quality. Rechargeable options, wireless connectivity and artificial intelligence are also available. Clear Ear Hearing is located at 827 W. 45th Ave., Griffith and has been at the same location for over 24 years. Tammy Spry is an audioprosthologist and hearing specialist. Clear Ear Hearing treats its customers like family and provides outstanding care to help customize a hearing solution that matches each individual’s needs, lifestyle and budget. For more information or to schedule an appointment call (219) 934-9747.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 15

Health & Fitness

If it’s autoimmune, it can be anything By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features A recent visit of the blahs, flu, endless fatigue, chills, sweats, and whatever reminded me of what has become one of medicine’s major mysteries - autoimmune disorders. More than 100 conditions have joined the list since they were first identified a little more than three decades ago. Among the most common are rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, type 1 diabetes, lupus and multiple sclerosis. What links these is their root cause: your immune system is battling part of you - your skin, blood vessels, joints, nerves or organs. In my case, it’s autoimmune hepatitis and my liver is the enemy. It all began to surface a dozen years ago while on a trip to Italy. I began feeling tired and just couldn’t shake loose of that feeling. And it took almost half a year of tests, MRIs, X-rays and biopsies to unearth the cause. I learned my liver has four major stages: good, not too bad, fatty and it-has-to-be-replaced. Mine was on the cusp of fatty and the final stage. And being autoimmune hepatitis means the doctors have no idea what caused it. Steroids were prescribed immediately and I began with prednisone tablets. That steroid had to be discarded when they conflicted with the bladder-cancer pills I began taking a few years later. Azathioprene is the replacement that works at decreasing my immune systems activity. Through all this, I’ve learned I should avoid getting sick. A few weeks ago, I woke up sweating and with the chills. I felt fatigued, unsteady on my feet and had a cough that was persistent in spells. Was this COVID-19, or the flu, or something else? I felt like I felt in Italy several years ago so I did what a doctor’s assistant suggested a

few years ago. I took a bottle of water out of the fridge, sipped some, turned on the television set, curled up in the big chair,

and fell asleep. “Just baby yourself and wait things out,” she said. And that worked.

I hadn’t been sick for more than nine years and this was a reminder of what can happen. I don’t know how I got sick so

Don’t shrug off depression By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features It can be depressing just thinking about depression. Well, not exactly, because depression itself is broadly defined as a persistent loss of interest in anything. Which means you don’t do a lot of thinking if you’re depressed. However, you can’t think your way out of depression. You have to act, and you’re first act is to discuss your situation with your primary care physician. Unending boredom may be a sign of depression but more certain symptoms are feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness and self-loathing. Research reveals that as many as 20% of adults suffer some degree of depression. Those affected most are aged 18 to 30. A close second are the elderly. Women are more likely to be depressed than men. Losing the day-to-day contact

with colleagues at work, the loss of loved ones, having to live alone when a spouse dies, increasing health problems associated with aging, and being moved into a senior-care facility are on the list of events that can dump you into depression. Attending to grief, adjustments in lifestyle, financial problems, family friction, reactions to many medications, and just plain keeping up with changes in society and the people around you add sufficient stress to get you down. Unattended to, the situation can lead to suicide. If you can’t see any enjoyment anywhere in your life, you’re probably clinically depressed and you need medical help. Many folks don’t get treatment because they’re ashamed to talk about their feelings or they feel they can tough it out. Talking things out with family and friends can be therapeutic because it helps

everyone compare notes on how to handle life’s exigencies. There are several signs of depression, including sleeping too much or too little, loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, feeling guilty, chronic pain or digestive disorders, and difficulty making decisions.

Treatment for severe clinical depression includes talk therapy and antidepressant drugs. Be comforted by the fact that since treatment exists, the medical community is used to handling - and curing - people with depression. Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Leave ear wax alone; it protects your ears By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features The next time you reach for a cotton swab to clean your ears you might want to think twice. The ears are self-cleaning so you shouldn’t do anything to them. Wax has antibiotic properties and keeps the ear moist, medics point out. Swabs increase the risk of eardrum perforation

and infection. A few drops of hydrogen peroxide can relieve severe wax buildup and loosen it so that it comes out easily and can be wiped away. If your ears itch on the inside, try using baby or mineral oil, administered with a medicine dropper. This is not recommended for anyone with eardrum perforations or ear infections. Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

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16 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

70s Flashback -

Jim Jacobs: Scorning his success Picture this: You’re a one-time stage actor who, along with a fellow stage actor, has created a book that By RANDAL becomes C. HILL a winning stage play that becomes a hit movie that begats a best-selling soundtrack. You both become millionaire success stories, yet you often complain about the changes that eventually made your R-rated creation palatable to a mainstream audience. What’s going on here? When the stage musical “Grease” closed on Broadway in 1980, it had been playing there for a record-breaking 3,388 performances. But what had premiered in 1971 in a seedy Chicago nightclub as a raunchy musical with an amateur cast had been radically transformed on its journey to Big Time Theater. Stage actors Jim Jacobs and friend Warren Casey had based their original tale on Jacobs’s experiences at Taft High School in northwest Chicago. The “Grease” story - first as a book, then as a music-tinged play followed the misadventures of rowdy blue-collar hoods there. “It was about having leather jackets and beehive hairdos,” claimed Jacobs, “about doing a lot of smoking and spitting on the sidewalk.” The original “Grease” picked up momentum as it morphed from off-Broadway to the great White Way itself. During the transition, much of the original crude content had been diluted in order to not offend any theatergoers. In filming the story in 1978, Paramount Pictures initially

tapped Henry Winkler for the pivotal role of Danny. Winkler, though, famed as Fonzie on TV’s “Happy Days,” rejected the offer for fear of being typecast. Thus, John Travolta from TV’s “Welcome Back Kotter” was ushered in as the male headliner. The primary female lead of Sandy, pitched first to Carrie Fisher, then to Marie Osmond, went to Australian recording star Olivia Newton-John. A young-looking 29, in order to appear even more youthful alongside the 23-year-old Travolta, she was filmed using “soft” camera lenses. Both stars were, of course, a bit long in the tooth to be portraying adolescents, but Jacobs staunchly defended the casting, admitting, “You may say Olivia Newton-John was too old, but look at Stockard Channing. Stockard’s my age.” (Jim was born in 1942, Stockard two years later.) On the silver screen, “Grease” proved to be a music-saturated romantic comedy about a tough local hood (Travolta) and an Australian transfer student (Newton-John) who develop an attraction for each other during a summer fling. Later, as Sandy prepares to return home, she’s convinced that she’ll never see

Danny again, but he assures her that summer is only a beginning for them as a couple. The campy frolic sold nearly $400 million worth of tickets as a movie, and the two-disc soundtrack, with sales of 30 million copies, became one of history’s biggest albums ever. There’s little doubt that Jacobs enjoyed his success, but years later we found him still grumbling: “We had written the show as the real nitty-gritty story of the kids I went to school with. It went from an in-yourface show about delinquents to a gang of lovable people singing rock ‘n’ roll.” Bibliography - Internet: Durant, Sabine. “Interview: Did You Get Very Far? Aha, Aha,” July 6, 1993, independent.co.uk, the first two quotes are from here’; “Grease.” broadwaymusicalhome.com; “Grease” (film); “Grease” (musical), Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey, en.wikipedia. org; “Grease,” stageagent.com; Horwitz, Jane. “For co-creator Jim Jacobs, ‘Grease’ Is Still the Word (Even If It’s Cleaned Up),” Feb. 2, 2010. washingtonpost. com, the third quote is from here; Robin, Marcy, “ ‘Grease:’ 10 Facts You’ve Probably Never Heard,” June 15, 2015, biography.com.

THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION — Shown is the original poster from Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s production ‘Grease.” Image from Original Chicago, Donna Jacobs Costello’s Facebook page.

How sweet it is!

Steve Leslie sings James Taylor in Highland Grammy Award-winning songwriter Steve Leslie will be performing all of James Taylors biggest hits live in concert at Highland High School, 9135 Erie Street, Highland at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11. Single tickets available on the day of the performance for $30. For more information, contact Carolyn Borchardt at (219) 932-9795 or cborc86914@aol. com.

Leslie performs the music of Rock ‘N Roll Hall of Fame singer- songwriter James Taylor in an authentic and spellbinding concert event. Steve’s warm baritone vocals, exceptional guitar technique, and uncanny resemblance, make this truly a one-of-a-kind tribute to this American music icon. Accompanied by piano, Steve’s program will feature some of Taylor’s biggest hits of all time includ-

ing, but not limited to, “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” “Fire and Rain,” “Carolina In My Mind,” and more! COMING TO HIGHLAND — Steve Leslie will be singing James Taylor’s biggest hits at Highland High School, at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11. Photo provided by Lakeshore Community Concerts.

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DENTAL

NORTHSHORE HEALTH CENTERS Locations in Portage, Lake Station, Chesterton, Merrillville & Hammond www.northshorehealth.org By appt. or walk-ins welcome. (219) 763-8112 or (888) 459-2349 Affordable dental care regardless of ability to pay. Medicare and Medicaid accepted. Discounted self-pay option.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 17

Call Becky At 219-241-5483 To Join Our

HEALTH AND SERVICES DIRECTORY HEALTH CARE

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18 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

Travel

From Liberty Hall To The High Seas:

America marks its semiquincentennial By VICTOR BLOCK Guest Columnist In Philadelphia recently, a crowd gathered to enjoy a “Musical Medley,” a reenactment of George Washington’s commissioning and wreath-laying at the tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier. It was a collection of historic ships along the Delaware River which people checked out and were allowed to board. Other folks have been climbing into an Airstream travel trailer which is making a yearlong cross-country tour. Once inside, they’re recording stories of their family history, honoring a local hero or simply describing what it means to them to be an American. These are among countless examples of activities being undertaken, and planned, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. They all recall the moment when the Founding Fathers, gathered in Philadelphia, declared independence of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain. This historic event joined together disparate people with equally diverse backgrounds. It included Virginia, where Jamestown was established in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in the New World. The Massachusetts Plymouth Colony, created in 1620. And Maryland, founded by Lord Baltimore in 1632. These and other states, and cities, have planned a year-long list of festivities to recognize and honor this special birthday. Some will be solemn and serious, others less so. All will attract people from near and far who are seeking to recall and commemorate the nation’s birth, past and accomplishments. Wherever you live, Continued on page 19

HONORING REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS — The Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War Soldier, located in Washington Square, Philadelphia, Pa., honors the thousands of soldiers who died during the American Revolutionary War. Photo by Ark. Neyman, Dreamstime.com.

FORMER HOSPITAL — The Grand Opera House, Wilmington, Del., is the former site of a hospital that treated wounded from both sides. Photo by Jon Bilous, Dreamstime.com.

Digital

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MIDNIGHT RIDE — A statue of Paul Revere commemorates his midnight ride. Photo by Jorge Salcedo, Dreamstime.com.

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EXTENDED SAILINGS — American Cruise Lines’ American Symphony will provided extended sailings honoring the nation’s founding. Photo by American Cruise Lines.

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January 2026 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ 19

Travel by Bridget

VIP experience By BRIDGET MARKIN Owner of Travel by Bridget With a passionate dedication to customer service, Travel by Bridget has taken the group travel experience in Northern Indiana to another level. It starts with owner Bridget Markin’s VIP approach, where she wants every passenger to feel like they are sitting in first class on an airplane - back when it was full of perks. Bridget has managed group trips for 10 years and has created a family-like atmosphere on the motor coach. Her big servant’s heart leads to everything being taken care of, so everyone can unwind, feel secure, chat with old friends, meet new ones and see the country. Bridget’s team goes all out to serve and entertain. The outgoing Bonnie Salyer brings 35 years travel experience. Her combination of professionalism and love for passengers endears her to all. Former WSBTTV personality Charlie Adams is the motor coach storyteller and produces video features of their trips. Bridget always uses beloved

driver and consummate professional Scott Reese of Royal Excursion, and his wife, Ingrid, captivates groups with the fun games she leads as they go down the highway. People book again and again because they appreciate being served, and this group loves caring for, entertaining and serving. In 2026, Travel by Bridget will enjoy the experience of Colorado by train, celebrate Route 66’s 100th anniversary and much more. In 2027, they will return to Hawaii. Travel by Bridget offers about 12 exciting experiences each year. Review the website at travelbybridgetllc.com, where the Travel menu lists all the 2026 experiences. Be sure to follow the popular Facebook page, which Charlie keeps refreshed, informative and fun. You can reach Bridget directly at (574) 806-1799. In today’s world, it’s a good feeling to have safety in numbers of group travel. There’s no planning stress. Just sit back and be a part of the camaraderie. Join Travel by Bridget and see why so many folks have been choosing its group trip experience.

Canceled flights call for flexibility By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Get used to the fact that airlines can cancel your flight without reimbursing you - and that you can cancel a flight and not get any reimbursement at all. Frustration with the flying business is mounting and the only way airlines seem to be coping with dissatisfaction is by adding to it. With more than 5,000 commercial airliners in the air at any given moment, the average 3% of flights disruptions means there are 150 fewer aircraft in the mix. That’s a blip for the

airline industry but a massive mix-up for the passengers on the ground. The hundreds of flights canceled recently by Southwest and American were outward signs of how simply these companies can disrupt a traveler’s life. And as passenger numbers dwindle, airline companies are prone to cancel flights that are not full and debark passengers to other air planes that may or may not be going directly to the customer’s desired destination. Survival while flying the friendly skies requires staying flexible. Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

Travel By Bridget, LLC Offering Group Travel by Motorcoach, Air Packages and Cruises

Hawaii Land and Sea Deluxe Package R/T Transportation to the airport from Knox or Plymouth, R/T Air with airport transfers from Honolulu to the hotel with 2 nights in Deluxe Accommodations on Waikiki Beach, Oahu at Outrigger Waikiki Paradise Hotel or similar. 7 night cruise - departs from Oahu and stops at Kahului, Maui, Hilo, KailuaKona, and Nawiliwili, Hawaii with some overnights. 3 Excursions ... Honolulu excursion that includes a city tour, Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona, Luau Kalamaku in Kauai, and Oahu’s North Shore. Breakfast daily, all meals during the 7 night cruise on board the ship (unless another specialty restaurant is chosen and

not in cruise pricing). Interior cabin package $6,996 pp/ double occ. Balcony cabin package $7,883 pp/ double occ. $500 deposit due with your reservation. 30 guests required. Details may vary by time of reservation and offers from the cruise line.

For inclusions, single rates and more details call 574-806-1799 or travelbybridgetllc@gmail.com. All Trips Depart From Plymouth or Knox See our Facebook page for other trips @ travelbybridgetllc

America marks Continued from page 18

whatever your interests there’s sure to be a choice of exciting, and educational, events that you may wish to take in. Indiana will do its part to join in the celebration. Among activities in the Hoosier State will be Pioneer Day, a Colonial Fair and a deep dive into the events and causes of the American Revolution. The festivities in Philadelphia is part of a year-long party. The Declaration of Independence and wording of the U.S. Constitution were both debated and signed there at Independence Hall. Close by is the Liberty Bell, which was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens to public meetings and proclamations. At the Museum of the American Revolution, located just steps away from Independence Hall, immersive galleries, interactive exhibits and theater experiences relate compelling stories of the people and complex events that helped to spark the rebellion. Celebration of the birth of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in the self-proclaimed City of Brotherly Love got underway this fall with a parade

of ships along the Delaware River, a Toast to the Navy gala, and a gathering meeting at the tavern, which was the birthplace of the Marine Corps. States also will get into the action. A web-based hub has been posted which helps residents of, and visitors to, Delaware locate sites associated with the semiquincentennial remembrance. It includes a three-day Revolutionary War driving itinerary; a calendar of events listing special exhibitions and other related activities, and an overview places with strong ties to the Revolutionary War. These include Cooch’s Bridge, sight of the only significant military action in the state, and the Grand Opera House, former site of a hospital that treated wounded from both sides during the fighting. A road trip through Massachusetts is like an immersion in history. That state kicked off its fetes by reliving the Battle of Lexington when - on April 19, 1775 - the British sent 700 soldiers from Boston to destroy ammunition and other supplies and the town’s militia confronted them, leaving eight colonists dead.

George Washington wrote “The first blood was spilt,” and the American Revolutionary War had begun. After Lexington, the British marched to Concord to ransack more equipment. Among displays at that town’s museum is the iron-and-glass lantern that Paul Revere famously carried during the “midnight ride” recalled in the familiar poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Events in Philadelphia and along the Delaware River recalling and recounting the genesis of the U.S. Navy aren’t the only water-related activities planned. American Cruise Lines, the largest river cruise company in the country, will launch an array of extended sailings throughout the year in honor of the nation’s founding. They will include Great United States, Spring Across America and Civil War Battlefields itineraries. Whether you prefer to wander by water, mull over museum displays or check out places where important chapters of U.S. history were written, numerous opportunities abound throughout the country to celebrate the nation’s special birthday.

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HISTORICAL SITE — Independence Hall National Historical Park, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Photo by F11 photo, Dreamstime.com.

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20 ■ SENIOR LIFE — Northwest Edition ■ January 2026

What’s happening at your local library Below are all the adult programs, events and classes for the month of January at the Lake County Public Library Cedar Lake 10010 W. 133rd Ave. Crochet @ Your Library, 4:306:30 p.m. Jan. 14, 21, 28 Book Discussion, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/cl.htm or call (219) 374-7121. Dyer-Schererville 1001 W. Lincoln Highway (US 30) New Parent & Caregiver Meet Up, 11-11:30 a.m. Jan. 6, 27 The Real Reads Book Discussion, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 Mahjong Open Play Session, 1-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 All Ability: Conversation Heart Jar, 6-7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13 Morning Mix: Ages 18 and Over, 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 16 Crafters Gathering, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 Mahjong Open Play Session, 1-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23 Between the Lines Book Discussion, 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/ds.htm or call (219) 322-4731. Griffith-Calumet 1215 E. 45th Ave. Thursday Threaders, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 8, 22, 29 Book Discussion, 1-2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12 Thursday Threaders, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday,

Jan. 15 All Ability: Watercolor Starry Night, 6-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 Book Discussion, 4-5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 All Ability: Gaming, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/gr.htm or call (219) 838-2825. Highland 2841 Jewett St. All Ability: Book Buddies, 10:30-11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6 Once Upon a Crime Mystery Book Club Book Discussion, 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 All Ability: Paper Houses, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 Fact or Fiction Book Discussion, 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/hi.htm or call (219) 838-2394. Hobart 100 Main St. Stitch’n Time, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3 Adults Get Crafty: Leftovers, 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12 Paint’n Time, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13 Book Discussion, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 Whodunit?, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 Paint’n Time, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/ho.htm or call (219) 942-2243. Lake Station 2007 Central Ave. Arts & Crafts for Adults: New Year’s Leftovers, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7

Hobby Hour, 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 LEGO Night for Adults, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 Mah Jongg Open Play: Ages 18+, 1-4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16 Knitting & Crochet Club, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 17 Craft and Chat, 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 Talk to a Lawyer Open House, 12:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 Reading Hour, 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 Bingo at the Library!, 3-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 Tuesday Time Out, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 Grown Up Game Night, 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/lsnc.htm or call (219) 962-2409. Merrillville 1919 W. 81st Avenue (US 30) Our Changing Planet: Why It Matters and What We Can Do, 11 a.m. to noon Monday, Jan. 5 Caregivers & Coffee Hour, 11 a.m. to noon. Jan. 6, 14, 20, 27 Laugh for Your Health, 1-2 p.m. Jan. 6, 13, 20 Positive Parenting Classes with Safe CHR, noon-1 p.m. Jan. 7, 14, 21, 27 Jumpstart January, 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7 Citizenship Class, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Jan. 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 27 English as a Second Language, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 12, 15, 19, 21, 26, 29 Circle of Readers Book Discussion, 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13 All Ability: 3D Paper Snowflake, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15 Monthly Resume Workshop:

Resume Creation and Guidance, 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 Jumpstart Jan.y, 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21 ESL Conversation Club, 1011:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24 Keep Me in Stitches, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 24 Video Game and Hang, 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 Genealogy Class: Newspaper Archive, 1:30-3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 29 Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs at a Glance, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30 Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/cnl.htm or call (219) 769-3541. Munster 8701 Calumet Avenue, Adult Dungeons and Dragons, 6-8 p.m. Jan. 8, 15 Family MLK Day Celebration, 1-2:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19 Book Discussion, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22

Wood Heart Wall Decor, 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22 Monday Night Adult D&D, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26 Genealogy: General DNA, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28 Registration required for all programs: visit lcplin.org/ branches/mu.htm or call (219) 836-8450. St. John 450 Wicker Avenue (US 41) Brain Benders, 10-11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 2 Just One More Chapter: A Silent Book Club, 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5 Off the Hook, 1-3 p.m. Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28 Craft Saturday: Make It Your Way, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 10 Page Turners Book Discussion, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 14 Registration required for all programs; visit lcplin.org/ branches/sj.htm or call (219) 365-5379.

Individual investing may threaten pensions By CECIL SCAGLIONE Mature Life Features Only half of 1,500 Americans 45 and older could correctly answer such financial questions as whether or not diversifying investments decreases risk, according to an American Association of Retired Persons survey. And at least a quarter of those surveyed answered “I don’t know” to every question.

This relative lack of investment know-how is trouble in face of the fact that employers are increasingly shifting the burden of pension investment onto their employees. Almost half of those polled said they get their fiscal advice from friends and family members instead of such business practitioners as financial planners and accountants. Mature Life Features Copyright 2025

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