idaho senior idependent

www.idahoseniorindependent.com TAKE ONE! FREE!Idaho City Area PhotoBy Natalie Bartley

Brent & Terry Hobson reopen historic Naf store

By Dianna TroyerThe remote, historic Naf Mercantile and Café four miles north of the

Idaho/Utah border has been luring Brent “Buck” Hobson ever since he was a boy.

“When my parents took us to visit relatives in Grouse Creek, we al-ways stopped at the store,” recalls Brent, who grew up in Ogden. “When

the previous owners, who were also from Ogden wanted to sell it, my wife, Terry, and I bought it in 1999 for a retirement investment. I thought it would take about a decade to renovate it.”

Reopening the store wasn’t quite as straightforward as Brent antici-pated, but the Hobsons confronted obstacles with hard work, patience, and humor.

“It has definitely been a long labor of love,” says Brent, 57, of renovat-ing the 35-foot by 40-foot store. “We’ve worked hard to get it going without going broke ourselves.”

Terry, 59, says, “At first, our four kids thought we were crazy, but now they love coming up.”

In October, Buck’s Naf Mercantile and Cafe opened in time for deer season.

“The public access for the Sawtooth National Forest is just down the road from us, so anyone coming to hunt has to drive past the store,” says Brent.

Hungry hunters who stop in find a menu of filling food served at a 1950s soda fountain counter with round stools or at tables covered with immaculate red-and-white gingham tablecloths.

“We serve breakfast, lunch, and supper and have some special burg-ers,” says Terry.

To complement the burgers, Terry uses a vintage slicer to cut spuds for French fries or whips up shakes on a nostalgic mixing machine.

“These machines were built to last,” says Terry.(Continued on pg 31)

IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

The Idaho Senior Independent is published six times each year in February, April, June, August, October, and December by Barrett-Whitman, 415 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls, MT 59401 and is distributed free to readers throughout the state of Idaho.

The mail subscription rate is $10.00 per year (6 issues). The Idaho Senior Independent is written to serve Idaho’s mature population of all ages. Readers are encouraged to contribute interesting material. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles, and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication.

All copy appearing in the Idaho Senior Independent is protected by copyright and may be reprinted only with the written permission of the publisher. Advertising copy should be received or space reserved by the 5th of the month preceding the month of publication.

Colleen Paduano Office ManagerDan Hubbard Advertising SalesLisa Gebo Production SupervisorRhonda Lee Graphic ArtistSherrie Smith Admin/Production AssistantNann Parrett Editing Assistant

Contributing WritersNatalie Bartley Connie Daugherty Holly Endersby Clare Hafferman Cate Huisman Gail Jokerst Bernice Karnop Craig LarcomLiz Larcom Jack McNeelMichael McGough Dianna Troyer

Jack W. Love, Jr., Publisher/Editor

A Barrett-Whitman Publication Idaho Senior Independent

P.O. Box 3341 • Great Falls, MT 59403-3341208-318-0310 • Toll Free: 1-866-360-5683

Fax: 406-761-8358www.idahoseniorindependent.com

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© 2012

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With regard to your article Skip Critell Finds Calling In Lincoln Living History Talks on page 14 of your October/November 2012 issue, you failed to give ANY credit for the heightened public awareness about Abraham Lincoln to Bill O’Reilly’s books Killing Lincoln and Lincoln’s Last Days. You attributed this phenomenon to the upcoming movie Lincoln by Steven Spielberg, which was only released this November. If you check the current New York Times Best Sellers List, you will see Killing Lincoln listed as #3 in the Hardcover Nonfiction & Combined Print & E-Book categories. Lincoln’s Last Days, a children’s version of the adult book, has been #1 in the Children’s Chapter Books category for the last 8 weeks. Since it came on the market on September 27, 2011, Killing Lincoln was an instant #1 best seller and has been on the N.Y. Times Best Selling List for 55 weeks! It has more than 2.5 million copies in print across all formats. Lincoln’s Last Days has more than 330,000 in print across all formats. No doubt, Steven Spielberg’s movie deserves some credit, but regardless of your political bent, you have a responsibility to give credit where

credit is due. Shame on you for failing to give Bill O’Reilley’s books the credit they deserve. You must not have read or listened to Kill-ing Lincoln yet, or you surely would not have excluded the book and author in your credits. We have already listened to the audio version of Killing Lincoln twice and plan to listen to it again. We found it riveting and recommend Bill

To all our readers, advertisers, andcontributors, we wish you the happiest

of holidays and a joyous 2013

Jack, Colleen, Kathleen, Sherrie,Rhonda, Dan, & Lisa

Season’s Greeting from the staff ofThe Idaho Senior Independent!

Caregiving BRP Health Services www.brphealth.com Whitman Senior Living www.whitmanslc.comEntertainment Eureka Opera House www.eurekacounty.comFirst Aid OXARC www.oxarc.comGold & Silver Rosehill Coins & Jewelry www.rosehillcoins.comHealth American Heart Association www.americanheart.org Charles P. Lawless Phone 208-232-4133 Humphreys Diabetes Center www.hdiabetescenter.com Idaho Kidney Institute www.idahokidney.com Kootenai Outpatient Imaging www.kootenaiimaging.com North Idaho Dermatology www.niderm.com Peaks & Plains, Inc. www.peaks-plains.com University Health Care Dialysis www.utahdialysis.org Wheelchairs & More www.usedwheelchairsandmore.comHeating/Cooling RDI Heating & Cooling www.rdiheating.comInsurance ADL Insurance Services www.adlinsurance.com Farm Bureau Insurance www.idfbins.com Howard Insurance Agency www.howardagency.com SHIBA www.shiba.idaho.govLodging Comfort Inn & Suites - Spokane Valley www.pheasanthillinn.netRestaurant Jaker’s www.jakers.comRetirement Living Chateau de Boise www.chateaudeboise.com Kootenai Creek Village www.kootenaicreekvillage.com Tomlinson & Associates www.tomlinsonassociates.comTravel Grey Fox Vacation Rentals www.oregoncoast.com/greyfox

O’Reilly for an award for his stellar performance when reading his book. And another thought – I wonder where Steven Spielberg came up with the idea for his movie Lin-coln?Ellen [email protected] ISI

The Lincoln Mystery Continues

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 IDAHO SENIOR INDEPENDENT PAGE 3

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By Connie Daugherty “Tradition,” declares the main character of Fiddler on the Roof, “cre-ates order out of chaos and connects the generations.” As the holiday season approaches we all think about our unique family traditions. In our family, books are a big part of the Christmas tradition. Everyone, from newborns to great-grandparents, gets a book – a book chosen especially for them and their interests. My grown children recall the Christmas that they received a particular book. They remember laugh-ing and sharing excerpts with each other. I would like to extend a bit of our family tradition to you, by sharing a few Idaho books that might make good gifts for your family and friends. There is something about the beauty of the Idaho landscape – invit-ingly rugged yet gentle at the same time – that attracts artists and brings out the poet in its residents. In his book, Idaho Artists: a Contemporary Selection, Cort Conley pays tribute to several of Idaho’s accomplished writers and poets, sculptors and carvers, painters and ceramists, a saddle maker, a luthier, a knife maker, and more. “Unquestionably, they all have a gift,” declares Conley. “They share

tradition and training, skill and understanding.” Conley’s goal in compiling this delightfully designed and skillfully composed book is to “serve as an introduction to some of your more remarkable neighbors, living in your shared landscape, your shared state.” Idaho Artists: a Contemporary Selection is not only a gift itself – a beautiful coffee table presentation of color photos and words – it is a guide to other gifts from around the state. One of the few activities that artists and writers enjoy as much as plying their craft is getting together with others who are doing the same thing. There is something familiar and inspirational about sharing talent and time. In An Informal History of the Pocatello Writing Community and the Rocky Mountain Poetry Festival, 1960 to June 2012, compiler Harald Wyndham “celebrates the community of writers (and musicians) that developed over the past fifty years in Pocatello and Southeast Idaho.” Each section notes the writers and poets of the decade and how they connected to each other – many at Idaho State University in Pocatello – to create a tradition that will continue long past the individuals. An In-formal History is compiled from news articles, memoirs, and interviews with some of the participants and “is built on the creative foundation of collective memory and oral tradition,” and is a tribute to all who helped to establish and grow the Rocky Mountain Poetry Festival. One of Idaho’s poets is literally inspired by the landscape he has experienced. For several years, F.A. Loomis worked for the U.S. Forest Service in central Idaho. The poems in his chapbook, Salmon River Lookout, pay tribute to that life and to the landscape he came to know and love so well. His words paint breathtakingly beautiful and emotional pictures. One of my favorites is a stanza from Catwalk, “Clouds burn garnet… Birds sing – thousands of angels – and hide in green slopes… A sudden rain drenches the gray brush and granite and leaves the earth breathing.” If you are looking for a less poetic and more practical view of the Idaho landscape, you might want to pick up, Landscaping with Native Plants in the Idaho Panhandle compiled by the Kinnikinnick Native Plant Soci-ety and edited by Sylvia Chatburn, Marilyn George, and Eileen Atkisson. This book is chock full of color pictures and practical information on how to identify and cultivate native plants of Northern Idaho for personal land-scaping. Native plants not only provide beauty and sense of connection to the local land, they are easy to care for. “Once established, the native garden becomes a nearly self-sustaining, low maintenance landscape,” explain the editors. “They do not require additional water, fertilizer or pesticides and they are hardy in our climate and soils.” In Landscaping with Native Plants, you will find not only color photos of native plants and trees, but also a detailed description, of the plants, their habitat, and potential landscape uses. The spiral comb binding make it a great take-along book for exploring the wilderness or talking with your local nursery owner or landscaper. Idaho, one of Danna Fuller Ross’s Wagon’s West series is a fun read for anyone who likes to time-travel back to the early pioneering days. In her historic novel, Ross not only introduces the reader to pioneering families who are moving to settle in a wild region beyond the River of No Return, but the native Nez Perce and Shoshone who have lived on the land for generations. Of course along with the settlers come the outlaws, and the prospectors. Toby Holt, son of legendary wagon master, Whip Holt is assigned as the military governor to bring law and order and peace to the new territory. Written in the style of the old westerns, Idaho is a good novel to curl up with on a winter evening. For readers who prefer to time-travel forward, Idaho author, Sharron Larter Akers has created a science fiction trilogy. The first book of the trilogy, The Truth Sayers, introduced a future world in chaos without the technology on which we in the 21st century have become so dependant. The Freedom Fighters battle with the evil tyrants of the Walled City of the West in the Dore Valley and have had some victories. At the end of the first book, Sarina, the daughter of Freedom Fighter leader, Pop McCary, is missing. In Search of Sarina continues the trilogy. Akers’s trilogy is similar to other future-without-technology and end of the world science fiction novels that are so popular today but with a definite Christian theme including occasional scripture references throughout the story. Idaho past, present, future, poetry, fiction, and practical guides – all provided by talented Idaho writers and authors are waiting for you at your local bookstore. Maybe it’s time to start your own family tradition by including a bit of this Idaho talent in your gift exchange or requests. I’m going to end this column with a couple lines pulled from Bill John-son’s poem, Painting the Trim.“…the world spins to darknessunder the vast unrecoverable heavensand love is the workthat will never in our lives be finished.” ISI

Recommended Reading Book Review


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We all remember the excitement of Christmas morning… that magical culmination of an entire year’s worth of anticipation. Remember the diffi-culty of going to sleep on Christmas Eve when the voices of parents still awake drifted into children’s bedrooms. Remember thoughts of Santa, his sleigh, and those noble reindeer helping him de-liver presents all around the world. In our culture, most of us would admit that there is probably no greater magic than the belief in Santa Claus that we embrace as young children.

Author Unknown I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid, and I remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her after my big sister dropped the bomb. “There is no Santa Claus,” she jeered. “Even dummies know that!” My Grandma was not the gushy kind and never had been. I fled to her that day because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told the truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier when swallowed with one of her “world-famous” cinnamon buns. I knew they were world-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true. Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her everything. She was ready for me. “No Santa Claus?” she snorted. “Ridiculous! Don’t believe it! That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes me mad, plain mad! Now, put on your coat, and let’s go.” “Go? Go where, Grandma?” I asked. I hadn’t even finished my second world-famous cinnamon bun. Where turned out to be Kerby’s General Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle in those days. “Take this money,” she said, “and buy something for someone who needs it. I’ll wait for you in the car.” Then she turned and walked out of Kerby’s. I was only eight years old, and though I had often shopped with my mother, I had never shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and

This issue, our winning Remember When con-tributor is unknown, perhaps arriving on our pages by magic. In any case, it is a wonderful story about the magic of Santa and what it really means to give in the spirit of the Christmas season.

Remember When contains our readers’ per-sonal reflections or contributions describing fic-tional or non-fictional events from some time in the past. Contributions may be stories, letters, artwork, poems, essays, etc. Photos may be included.

Each issue of the Idaho Senior Independent

features the contribution(s) deemed best by our staff. The contributor of the winning entry receives a $25 cash prize ($50 for the winner in our Febru-ary/March 2013 issue since “unknown” couldn’t win).

We look forward to receiving your contributions for our February/March 2013 issue. Mail your cor-respondence to Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403, email to [email protected], or call 1-866-360-5683 or 208-318-0310.

crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For a few moments I just stood there, confused and clutching that ten-dollar bill, wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for. I thought of everybody I knew - my family, my friends, my neighbors, the kids at school, and the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out, when I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath and messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs. Pollock’s second grade class. Bobby Decker didn’t have a coat. I knew that because he never went out to recess during the winter, and his mother always wrote a note telling the teacher that he had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn’t have a cough. He didn’t have a good coat! I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement - I would buy Bobby Decker a coat! I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood. It looked real warm, and he would like that. “Is this a Christmas present for someone?” the lady behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. “Yes, ma’am,” I replied shyly. “It’s for Bobby.” The nice lady smiled at me, as I told her about how Bobby really needed a good winter coat. I didn’t get any change, but she put the coat in a bag, smiled again, and wished me a Merry Christmas. That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible) in Christmas paper and ribbons and wrote, “To Bobby, From Santa Claus” on it. Grandma said that Santa always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker’s house, explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially, one of Santa’s helpers. Grandma parked down the street from Bobby’s house, and she and I crept noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk. Then Grandma gave me a nudge. “All right, Santa Claus,” she whispered, “get going.” I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on his step, pounded on his door, and flew back to the safety of the bushes and Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door to open. Finally, it did, and there stood Bobby. Fifty years haven’t dimmed the thrill of those moments spent in Bobby Decker’s bushes, shivering beside my Grandma. That night, I realized that those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they were - ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team! I still have the Bible with the price tag for the coat tucked inside - $19.95. May you always have Love to share, Health to spare and Friends that care... and may you always believe in the magic of Santa Claus! ISI

Grandma and Santa Claus - I Believe In Santa Claus

Every artist dips his brush in his own souland paints his own nature into his picture.

- Henry Ward Beecher


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There are lots of big facts in the world! And then there are the little ones, the insignificant ones, the ones we call trivia. Our staff assembled the trivia quiz for this issue searching high and low for as much minutiae as space allows. We hope you have fun and learn a few unimportant facts along the way!

Because we did not have a winning entry from a reader, the prize for submitting the featured quiz to appear in the February/March 2013 issue will be a $50 cash prize.

Congratulations also to Gerald Butler, Payette who submitted the winning answers to the Fun With Acronyms quiz that appeared in our October/November 2012 issue. Thank you, Gerald.

Two $25 cash prizes are awarded from the

“Contest Corner” in each issue of the Idaho Se-nior Independent. One prize goes to the person who submits the entry that our staff selects as the featured quiz or puzzle in the “Contest Corner” for that issue. Be creative and send us some good, fun, and interesting puzzles!

The second $25 prize goes to the person who submits the correct answers to the featured quiz or puzzle from the previous issue. When there is a tie, the winner is determined by a drawing.

Please mail your entries to the Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403, or email to [email protected] by January 10, 2013 for our February/March 2013 edition. Be sure to work the crossword puzzle on our website at idahoseniorindependent.com.

Created by ISI Staff Below are 15 trivia questions that should test your knowledge in many different subjects. Feel free to use the encyclopedia, dictionary, and In-ternet as you research the answers. Just jot down your answers on a numbered piece of paper and drop it in the mail to us. You may win the $25 cash prize. 1. According to the 2010 census, what is the largest U.S. city in population (within its city limits) beginning with the letters SAN? 2. What two common parts of the human body continue to grow throughout our lifetimes? 3. What is the name of the chemical element that is one of the lightest metals known? It is used in nuclear reactions, batteries, and as a medicine for the treatment of manic-depressive psychosis. 4. These two men are brothers, from a very musical family. One is a preeminent jazz trumpeter and artistic director of jazz programming for New York’s Lincoln Center. The other is a saxophonist, actor, and orchestra director. What are their full names? 5. The word “zero” indicating “something empty” comes from what language? 6. What is the name for the type of Japanese verse form having three lines with 5, 7, and 5 syl-lables?

7. What is the reciprocal of the sum of the re-ciprocals of 2 and 3? 8. What is the name of the German folk tale where, two children are abandoned in a forest by their father and stepmother, are lured into captivity by a witch, and the sister is forced to do household chores, while her brother is destined to be eaten? 9. In 1963, Shirley MacLaine did it. In 1978, Brooke Shields did it. And in 1983, Rebecca De Mornay did it. What did they do? They played the roles of hookers in films. What were the film’s titles? 10. Which four stringed instruments make up a string quartet? 11. Identify the two types of electrical current. 12. Elvis Presley’s double-sided hit Hound Dog / Don’t Be Cruel was #1 on the charts for 11 weeks in 1956. This longevity record was broken in 1992 when a Whitney Houston song, written by Dolly Parton, stayed at #1 for 14 weeks. What is the title? 13. Which Kennedy was assassinated just 5 years after JFK? 14. The father of Queen Elizabeth II was King of Britain from 1936 until 1952. What was his name? 15. It is considered the bestselling novel of all time. 30 million copies have been sold of this 1966 novel of sex, violence, and drugs. Name the book and the female author. ISI

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7. Wrath8. Most famous gremlin9. Capital of West Germany, 1949-198910. Unfavorable prefix11. Seabiscuit control12. Small amount of residue15. Go to NPR, e.g.20. Enlighten22. Suitable24. Quality of a good soldier25. Muslim ruler, respectfully26. What scapegoat is given27. Shorter than California29. Used for weaving31. *Tackler’s breath?32. Each and all33. Chinese silk plant34. Takes off weight36. *Nevada Wolf Pack’s home38. Do over42. Touch is one of these45. Starting time49. One from Laos51. *Brother of #21 Across is a leader of this team54. Genuflecting joints56. Loyalty to the loyal, e.g.57. Farmer’s output58. Alternate spelling of #64 Across59. In or of the present month60. Athletic event61. Narcotics agent62. Evander Holyfield’s ear mark63. *Ivy League’s Bulldogs66. Charlotte of “Facts of Life” fame68. Ctrl+Alt+ ISI___

Are You Ready For Some Football?

By Jim MillerIf you are looking to eliminate your final farewell expense and help

advance medical research, donating your body to science is a great op-tion to consider. Here’s what you should know.

Body Donations – Each year, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Ameri-cans donate their whole body, after death, to medical facilities throughout the country to be used in medical research projects, anatomy lessons, and surgical practice.

After using your body, these facilities will then provide free crema-tion – which typically costs $600 to $3,000 – and will either bury or scat-ter your ashes in a local cemetery or return them to your family, usually within a year or two.

Here are a few other tidbits you need to know to help you decide on whether whole-body donation is right for you.

• Organ donors excluded: Most programs require that you donate your whole body in its entirety. So if you want to be an organ donor, you won’t qualify to be a whole body donor too. You’ll have to choose.

• Not all bodies are accepted: If, for example, your body has been badly damaged in a car accident or if you’re morbidly obese, you many not qualify.

• Body transporting is covered: Most programs will pay to transport

How to Save Money byDonating Your Body to Science


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AFTER ALL THE YEARS OF HARD WORK, it’s time to start enjoying all the reasons to love Idaho. Nothing beats a day trip in the Sawtooth Mountains, a soak in your favorite hot springs, or a boat ride down any one of the 52 beautiful rivers crisscrossing our state.Another thing thousands of Idaho seniors can enjoy about our great state is Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company of Idaho and its Senior Discount for drivers over the age of 55. If you’d like to explore this exciting option, contact us today and one of our friendly agents will help guide you to all the discounts you deserve. Visit www.idfbins.com to find an agent near you.

PHOTO © J. EDWARDS, CLARK FORK, ID

your body to their facility unless your body must be moved from out of state.

• No special requests: Most programs won’t allow you to donate your body for a spe-cific purpose – you give them the body and they decide how to use it.

• Funeral services are not covered: Most programs will allow your family to conduct any final services they wish before taking custody of your body, but they won’t pay for it.

• Your family won’t be paid: Federal law prohibits buying bodies.

What To Do – If you do decide you want to donate your body, it’s best to arrange in advance with a body donation program in your area. Most programs are offered by university-affiliated medical schools. To find one near you, the University of Florida maintains a list of U.S. programs and their contact information at www.

med.ufl.edu/anatbd/usprograms.html.In addition to the medical schools, there are

also a number of private organizations like Anat-omy Gifts Registry (anatomicgift.com), BioGift (biogift.org), and Science Care (sciencecare.com) that accept whole body donations too.

If you don’t have internet access, you can get help over the phone by calling the National Family Service Desk, which operates a free body donation referral service during business hours at 800-727-0700.

Once you locate a program in your area, call and ask them to mail you an information/registration packet that will explain exactly how their program works.

To sign up, you’ll simply need to fill out a couple of forms. But, you can always change your mind by revoking your authorization in writing.

After you have arranged, you then need to tell your family members so they will know what to do and who to contact after your death. It’s also a good idea to tell your doctor and put your wishes in writing in your advance direc-tives. These are legal documents that include a medical power of attorney and living will that spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment when you can no longer make decisions for yourself.

If you don’t have an advance directive, go to caringinfo.org or call 800-658-8898 where you can get free state-specific forms with instructions to help you make one.

Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. ISI


Yes, the seasons have changed and brought cold winter nights and very short days. Now is the time to find that special someone to spend time outdoors skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and enjoying all of the fun winter activities that Idaho offers. And then relax by the fireplace and enjoy these long cuddly evenings. To respond to any of these personal ads, simply forward your message, address, phone number, or email address to the department number listed in the particular personal ad, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, P.O. Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403.

We will forward your response, including your address, phone number, and/or email address to the person placing the ad. When you answer an ad in this section, there is no guarantee that you will receive a response. That is up to the person who placed the ad. Please be sure you submit your correct address plainly printed, so you can promptly receive responses.

Respond to the ads in this issue, and also sit down now and prepare your own ad to run in our next issue. There is no charge for this service, and your ad may lead you down the path of true love!

Responses to personal ads appearing in this column can be submitted at any time. However, to place a personal ad to appear in the February/March 2013 issue, the deadline is January 10, 2013.

78-year-old widow in search of a male friend about my age that is a non-smoker, non-drinker,

and down to earth. Someone that likes outdoors, good music, and likes to play bingo.

I’d love to cook for that special person. Must be just a regular person, as I am just a quiet person to be with. Let’s have coffee and talk. Reply ISI, Dept. 8501, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403.

SWF seeking a man in the age range of 65-75 or there abouts. I would hope to find someone with a sense of humor who likes the simple things like hunting, fishing, going for rides, and who enjoys the outdoors. Always have loved the looks of a western type man, but anyone is free to answer... as who knows what we’d have in common. I have been a widow for over 12 years and try very hard to treat everyone as I’d like to be treated. Please send a photo and your phone number. Reply ISI, Dept. 8502, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403.

SWF, “relocatable,” 5’6” slim, brown eyes, long brown hair, attractive, up-beat, fun-loving, who loves walking together, romance, cooking, RVing, and traveling. I want someone to care for, respect, love, and laugh with for the rest of our lives. ISO caring gentleman, 55-75, with sense of humor. Intelligent, secure, share same values. Not seeking a place to stay or financial gain. Time’s a wastin’. Let’s make life exciting! Photo/phone #. No D/S. Reply ISI, Dept. 8503, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403.

Attractive, semi-retired gal wants to have fun with a man who is friendly, likes to laugh, and enjoys life. Fifty-nine, non-smoker, light drinker; blonde hair, blue eyes, 5’5”, moderately built. I live in the Spokane-Inland Northwest area. I enjoy camping/traveling, gardening, and photography. I enjoy most music much more than TV. Honest and financially secure; you should be, too. Your looks aren’t as important as who you are. Please be between 58-67. Send photo and information about yourself, and I will do the same. Reply ISI, Dept. 8504, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403.

Do you have a zest for life? Do you have the time, desire, physical well-being, and freedom to pursue it? Do you know how to really communicate? Do you know how to reciprocate? If you answered yes to most of these questions, please read on. I am a spiritual, SWM, 63, 5’9”, 175 lbs., retired, and in good physical condition. My interests include walk-ing, reading, music, dancing, boating, motorcycling, camping, and traveling. I live in Coeur d’Alene. I seek a woman, 45-65, with similar interests, values, and qualities for friendship, companionship, fun, and perhaps more. My philosophy is to live life to the fullest and make the most of each day I am blessed with. If you feel the same, please contact me! Reply ISI, Dept. 8505, c/o Idaho Senior Independent, Box 3341, Great Falls, MT 59403. ISI

By Gail JokerstPublishing a book yourself is much like trekking to a mountain pass – if

you are persistent, you will reach your goal by taking one step at a time. I won’t say that self-publishing is a fast or easy endeavor but it is incredibly satisfying when you can finally hold your book in hand and share it with the world.

As a recently published book author, I find people are often curious about the process I went through to create my new cookbook, The Hungry Bear Kitchen: Recipes and Writings. Although my experience was with writing a cookbook, I doubt the approach that authors of other genres take varies much from my path to publication. As newbies at self-publishing, we all have to begin with some key questions to propel our project forward.

A good place to start is by asking yourself: What are my goals with this book? Who is my intended audience? And, how will I market and sell the book?

Whether you are considering penning a memoir or a mystery, you need to be clear about your reasons for wanting to self-publish. Are you embark-ing on this literary adventure to satisfy a yearning to tell a special story or to capture history that could be lost? Do you want to entertain or inform others, to persuade people to make better decisions about resources, or for some combination of reasons? There is no right answer here, just a clarification for yourself so you know if your investment of time and money is worthwhile.

In my case, the goal was to share a selection of favorite recipes that I have collected since childhood and to reprint some of my previously published food essays from The Christian Science Monitor. Since I am constantly sending recipes all over the country, I felt this would simplify my life and at the same time preserve those essays in book form. I also wanted to earn money from the project by creating a product I could sell locally and on-line.

Next come the questions of who would be interested in reading your book and why they might want to read it or buy it as a gift for someone else. When you identify your target audience, it is easier to stay on track with your writ-ing so you always keep in mind what will appeal to them. Getting the book into the best possible marketplace will be based in part on figuring out who your intended audience is.

The most successful self-published authors I know are people with “built-in” audiences. Some travel to teach, hold workshops, attend conferences, or make presentations, and bring their books along with them to sell. Others participate in local festivals and fairs where they can rent booth space to display and sell their work. Either way, many have websites and/or social networking connections through Twitter and Facebook to promote their work.

Since I live by Glacier National Park, my intended customer base includes visitors to the Flathead Valley as well as local residents, friends here and around the nation, and neighbors who like to cook. Considering many people deem themselves armchair chefs, I also geared The Hungry Bear Kitchen to have enough story-telling power to satisfy that yen in others without ever having to puree a soup or peel a potato. During the summer, I bake treats for the West Glacier Farmers’ Market, so I knew I had a sales outlet there. In addition, I planned to offer the book to area gift shops and bookstores and to advertise and sell it through my own web site.

If you have not yet considered the physical format you would like your book to have, it helps to study other books and how they were put together. Start with some of your favorite titles in the same genre as yours. If you like the looks of those books, identify the features you appreciate most and include them in your volume. Do the bindings and fonts work for you? How about the weight and feel of the covers and pages? Would you want your book to be the same or different? Are the sizes comfortable? Do you like the graphics? And speaking of graphics, what ideas are you contemplating for cover art and – where applicable – page illustrations?

When you have answers to these questions plus an inkling of how many pages your book will require, you are getting closer to talking with printers about cost estimates. One of the first things you will find out is the larger the quantity you order, the lower the per-book cost. The problem is guesstimating

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how many books you think you can sell. Provided you have a place to store lots of boxes, consider ordering a large quantity if you have funds available and are not in a hurry to see a return on your dollars. With savings interest rates currently so low, investing in yourself can make sense for aspiring authors willing to work hard at promoting their works.

Another thing you will discover is that pricing can vary widely from printer to printer so it is a good idea to get as many estimates as possible. Start

locally where you can speak face to face with people knowledgeable in the business. Then expand to on-line estimates from out-of-state printers. You will have to pay a shipping fee if you place your order with them but the estimate may well be low enough to cover that cost. You won’t know until you investigate.

You can learn more about Gail Jokerst and The Hungry Bear Kitchen: Recipes and Writings at gailjokerst.com. ISI

By Clare HaffermanFor any of us who have ever sent a check to a

charity, subscribed to a magazine, written a letter to a political party, sent for a catalogue or a book, or asked for information, we should realize that all of these entities could and would sell our names and personal information.

Since I only deal with the U. S. Post Office and the mailbox across the street, you can label me truly “retro” in this world of computerized informa-tion. But I am sure the truth of my first paragraph above relates to the Internet.

I dislike shopping in the manual labor way, pounding concrete floors in a mall, where what I have seen is usually overpriced or created in Taiwan. I get my everyday gardening clothes at the Salvation Army store or other thrift shops and if I want a better piece of clothing, it comes from a catalogue.

I also like to read so I subscribe to two garden-ing magazines and a friend gave us a subscription to The Week. My name is out there enough to guarantee I receive catalogues I didn’t order and letters from charities who would love to have my signature on a check.

As an indication of the times, I know things are getting tighter because the letters have in-creased. I have heard from The March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, a couple of veteran’s causes, St. Jude’s, both political parties, and the Governor’s race. And before you think I am entirely without a heart, we have given to some of these. My point

being the solicitations are more frequent due to the economy.

Then I received two unusual requests. The first came from the Navajo Relief Fund asking for a donation to help buy turkey dinners this Thanksgiving. In one way, the request surprised me because as a fan of Tony Hillerman’s myster-ies, I remember his detective Jimmy Chee said he didn’t grow up eating Cheerios like the rest of us. In one story, he warmed up mutton stew for breakfast.

Since I grew up with an Irish mother who served us both lamb chops and mutton stew, I ate both. Now if I had to compare mutton stew to a bowl of Bran Flakes, half-and-half, and a banana, I might have to think about it. But I would guess the Navajos have adopted traditional Thanksgiving menus and no doubt they like turkey and dress-ing. But, I said, “No.”

The second came from George McGovern and he asked that I send $25 to his friend, Morris Dees. Morris helped Mr. McGovern when George ran for President and before and after that, was the head of the Southern Poverty Law Center. For the money, Mr. Dees would send me his book, A Lawyer’s Journey, which contains the story of this cotton-picking kid who grew up to be the lawyer responsible for successfully suing the Klu Klux Klan and putting the Imperial Klan’s leader, Ron Edwards, in jail to stay.

I approve of Morris’s efforts and wish him good luck, but if I made a list of the ways I earn extra money to support my gardening habit, pay

the tab for sending cookies and birthday presents to Grandkids, and buy little extras along the way, he would realize that it would be a long shot to get $25 out of me. I am turning him and Mr. McGovern down, although I will use the address labels they sent me which said SLC on each one and wouldn’t mean a thing to anybody seeing it.

I don’t anticipate getting a second letter from either organization, although I would be curious to know if the advice I sent to the Navajos regarding a garden box in the desert was ever considered.

If you have time to be descriptive about why you are not contributing to unsolicited requested donations, get creative. Save paper and enve-lopes, and decide where your charity dollars go, not necessarily to someone who just bought your name. ISI

“Only Pennies A Day” Letters

By Marshall J. Kaplan She was sassy. She was hip. She was tough. She was known for her afro and for her attitude. Today, actress Pam Grier no longer has the afro, but she does have attitude – a very positive one! Pam Grier was born on May 26, 1949 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Her mother was a nurse, and her father was a mechanic in the United States Air Force. Pam also had three siblings. Due to her father’s job, the family moved around and eventually settled in Denver, Colorado. It was here that Pam got involved in numerous stage plays at high school. Pam worked in various local plays and modeled to make enough money to move to Los Angeles. In 1967, Pam arrived in Hollywood where she got a job as the receptionist for the B-movie company, AIP (American International Pictures). It was here that she was discovered by director Jack Hill who cast her in his prison-themed films, The Big Doll House (1971) and The Big Bird Cage (1972). Pam was now under contract to AIP and con-tinued to make a name for herself as a bold, as-sertive, tough woman. The first female action star in 1970s blaxploitation films such as Coffy (1973), Black Mama, White Mama (1973), Scream, Blac-ula, Scream (1973) and the classic, Foxy Brown (1974). Pam feels that her motivation in playing “the baddest chick in town” was driven from her extremely emotional experience of being raped as

a child. As the 1980s began, Pam found herself mak-ing guest appearances on television shows and films – most notably 1981’s Fort Apache, the

Bronx. It took another fifteen years to reach the pinnacle of her career. In 1997, director and filmmaker, Quentin Tarantino created a film just for Pam, titled, Jackie Brown. The film was homage to the blaxploitation films of the 1970s. Pam received numerous awards and accolades for her title role, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Pam has had another resurgence in her career, appearing on the critically acclaimed TV series, The L Word.

With her amazing ca-reer, came some amaz-ing relationships with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Richard Pryor, and Fred-die Prinze. What is even more amazing is that this tough, female action star currently resides in Franktown, Colorado on her ranchette, where she raises ho rses and teach-es handicapped children how to ride. In 2010, she wrote her memoir, Foxy – My Life in Three Acts. ISI

Where Are They Now – Pam Grier?


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(NAPSI) – Homeowners looking to reduce their utility bills are beginning to explore more-efficient alternatives—like solar panels and geothermal systems—to traditional technology to heat and cool their homes.

Although solar panels are primarily used to generate electricity, homeowners have begun to expand the functionality of solar energy to heat and cool their homes as well. However, the suc-cess of solar panels depends on the climate and the location of the home. Homeowners living in the Southwest, which generally gets up to 300 days of sunshine a year, would benefit more from solar panels than residents of the Northeast, where it’s only sunny about 50 percent of the time.

Geothermal, on the other hand, relies on tem-peratures beneath the ground’s surface, which

remain constant all year long, regardless of the location. A geothermal system consists of pipes that reach beneath the frost line. To warm the home, the system utilizes a compressor to pull the heat from underground and circulates it through the home as either forced air or hot water for radi-ant heat. The process is reversed when the home needs to be cooled: The compressor removes heat from inside the home and transfers it back to the pipes. The remaining cool air is circulated throughout the home.

Homeowners should also consider costs of the two systems. Solar systems produce a limited amount of energy per square foot and take up a considerable amount of space. In addition, ac-commodating the heating and cooling needs in a home requires a large number of costly solar

The Geothermal Alternative To TraditionalHeating And Cooling Technology

panels, while just one geothermal heat pump can effectively cool and heat an entire home.

Finally, most geothermal manufacturers offer hot water equipment that can provide hot water to the home. These systems can heat water at three to five times the efficiency of traditional gas or electric heaters, and unlike solar solutions, provide hot water 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Many geothermal units are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit and may qualify for utility and state rebates. Meanwhile, states are beginning to acknowledge that geothermal systems offer as much benefit through energy conservation as wind and solar provide through clean generation. The state of Maryland, for example, recently enacted legislation making it the first state in the nation to allow utilities to claim renewable energy credits for the installation of geothermal heat pumps.

To find a geothermal system that fits your needs, contact your local heating and cooling specialist or visit www.waterfurnace.com. ISI


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St. Luke’s Humphreys Diabetes Center has six locations and 13 diabetes educators to meet your diabetes education and prevention needs. Call us today to find out how we can help you live a long, healthy life.

(208) 331-1155 hdiabetescenter.orgLocations in Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Mountain Home, Fruitland and Weiser.

Lola Burdick, St. Luke’s Humphreys Diabetes Center patient and 2009 winner of our “Living Well with Diabetes” award.

By Suzanne Handler, Senior Wire Attention all parents, grandparents, and thoughtful adults: the following is a cautionary tale. Noise–induced hearing loss (NIHL) is 100% preventable. Yet, according to audiologist Dr. Barbara Jenkins, one – third of people in the United States who have a hearing disability fall into this category. My interest in this particular health issue hits close to home. Accompany-ing my 70–plus significant other to his first appointment with an audiologist, I was surprised when she handed us a catalogue with page after page of hearing aids from which to choose. I had thought all such devices were manu-factured in skin tones, but I could not have been more wrong. Along with the humdrum, flesh–colored models from which he eventually made his choice, an array of bold colors and psychedelic designs were also available for the more adventurous. When I asked, “Who in their right mind would choose hot pink hearing aids to stick behind their ears?” I received an earful. The number of youth who have been diagnosed with NIHL, and who now need or soon will need hearing aids, is on the rise worldwide. Why is this happening? The simple answer is that some companies continue to manufacture digital music players with the capacity to produce volume at damaging levels, and youth – disregarding health–related issues – neglect to use caution where noise is involved. As with drinking or texting while driving, listening to loud music for hours on end is a prescription for disaster. I learned that when the delicate hair cells that move and transmit sound are continually bombarded by loud noise, these cells – known as cilia – even-tually die. Noise–induced hearing loss occurs when there are more dead cilia then live ones. Keeping in mind that this type of loss is preventable, I began to think about how potentially dangerous noise pollution really is, especially for teens and young adults who, in many cases, intuitively understand the danger of excessive noise, but choose to ignore it. There are two types of noise–induced hearing loss: that which occurs fol-lowing a one–time event such as an explosion or blast (i.e. gunfire, bomb, or firecracker) and that resulting from exposure to loud noise over an extended period of time – think rock concert, dance club, or listening to an MP3 player at the highest volume possible every day for hours. Even the seemingly more mundane – but just as potentially dangerous – culprits such as workplace related noise, hair dryers, lawn mowers, automobiles, motorcycles, power tools, radios, and television sets can damage the ability to hear if the noise is too loud. In September 2009, the governing body of the European Union an-nounced that it intends to enact legislation that would make it illegal for listening devices such as MP3 players to exceed 80 decibels. To put this in perspective, normal conversation registers around 60 decibels, the sound of traffic on a busy metropolitan city street registers between 80–90 decibels, a rock concert registers between 115–120 decibels, and a jet liner taking off

registers sound anywhere from 120–150 decibels depending on the type of equipment. Although it would seem difficult to enforce, I say kudos to the EU – at least it is a start. Soon, American manufacturers of digital listening devices (several currently have the capacity to reach 115 decibels depend-ing on the model and the speaker system used) will be forced to modify their products if they wish to market them across the pond (source: World Boxx). The United States would do well to follow suit. My life partner served in the U.S. Army in the mid–1950s. With zero pro-tection from the deafening sound of 90 mm anti–aircraft artillery and quad 50–caliber machine guns roaring in his ears, irreparable damage was done. When his military service was over, his plan was to begin his college educa-tion. After being given a compulsory hearing test by the university, he was informed that he had a profound hearing loss. The school recommended he register for a lip–reading class to improve his chances for academic success, but at the tender age of 20, he allowed pride and embarrassment to stand in the way. Because of this disability, the road has not always been an easy one for him. I have watched him struggle in conversations when more than two people are speaking and I understand his reluctance to be in social situations where chitchat is expected or rapt attention required. He has lived his life with a noise–induced hearing deficit that could never be surgically or medically restored. It was been suggested that just turning down the volume on an MP3 player, radio, or television two clicks, or buying and using inexpensive earplugs (I have resorted to wads of Kleenex or cotton balls on various oc-casions) from the drugstore to muffle sound at a sporting event, concert, or party, will help to preserve the delicate nerves and structures of the ear. And when all else fails or is forgotten, just give your hard–working ears a frequent rest – walk away from the noise for five minutes. Encourage your children and grandchildren to do the same. The next time a car pulls up near mine and the radio or CD player is blaring so loud I can feel the beat in my solar plexus two lanes away, I know I will think about those psychedelic hearing aids and the probability that the driver will, one day in the future, be diagnosed with a noise–induced hearing loss for which there is no cure. Hearing is a precious gift and one well worth preserving. Spread the word. ISI

Turn Down That Noise Now So You Can Hear Later


By Jim Miller Unfortunately for you and millions of other couples in your position, Medicare does not provide family coverage to younger spouses or dependent children when you qualify for Medicare. Nobody can obtain Medicare benefits before age 65, unless eligible at a younger age because of disability. With that said, here are some options for your wife depending on your situation. Work longer: If possible, you should consider working past age 65 so your wife could continue coverage under your employer health insurance until she becomes eligible for Medicare, or, if that’s too long, at least for a few more years. Check employer options: If your employer provides retiree health benefits, check with the benefits administrator to find out if they offer any options that would allow your wife to continue coverage under their plan. Or, if your wife works, see if she can she switch to health insurance provided by her own employer. Use COBRA: If you work for a company that has 20 or more employees, once you make the switch to Medicare, your wife could stay with your company insurance plan for at least 18 months (but could last up to 36 months) under a federal law called COBRA. You’ll need to sign her up within 60 days after her last day of coverage. You also need to know that COBRA is not cheap. You’ll pay

the full monthly premium yourself, plus a 2 percent administrative fee. The other benefit of using COBRA is that once it expires, your wife will then become eligible for HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which gives her right to buy an individual health insurance policy from a private insurer that can’t exclude or limit coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. To learn more about COBRA, visit askebsa.dol.gov or call 866-444-3272. If, however, the company you worked for had fewer than 20 employees, you may still be able to get continued coverage through your company if your state has “Mini-COBRA” (39 states offer it). Contact your state insurance department (see naic.org) to see if this is available where you live. Buy an individual policy: This is health insurance you buy on your own, but it too can be expensive depending on your wife’s health history. Any pre-existing condition such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc., can drastically increase her premiums or can nix her chances of being accepted at all. To search for policy options and costs go to healthcare.gov. If you need help, contact a licensed independent insurance agent. See www.nahu.org/consumer/findagent.cfm to locate one near you. Or, if you only need health coverage for a

short period of time – less than 12 months – a short-term policy is another lower-cost option to consider. You can get quotes and coverage details at ehealthinsurance.com. Get high-risk coverage: If you can’t purchase an individual health policy for your wife because of a pre-existing medical condition, you can still get coverage through a state or federal high-risk pool. State pools, which are offered in 35 states (see naschip.org), provide health insurance to any resident who is uninsurable because of health problems. While costs vary by state, premiums run about 150 percent of what an individual policy costs. Or, consider the federal Pre-Existing Conditions Insurance Plan (see pcip.gov) which is available nationwide. Created in 2010 under the health care reform law, this program is intended to bridge the gap until better options become available in 2014 when the main provisions of the law go into effect. To qualify, your wife must be uninsured for six months before applying. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. ISI

Health Insurance Options for Pre-Medicare Spouses

By Tait Trussell, Senior WireThere are both “soft” and “hard” martial arts. A church pastor in his 60s

is learning the “kick and smash” of tae kwon do. That is not “soft.”Yoga and tai chi are soft. They are practiced by many people to improve

their health and well-being and to help prevent falls, rather than for self-defense.

Tai Chi can enhance balance, strengthen knees and ankles, and delay frailty of aging. A study at Emery University School of Medicine, for example,

ran a 15-week program that it said cut the risk of falling by 47 percent. (Falls cost the country about $12 billion a year.)

Researchers at Ohio State University have shown that women who practice hatha yoga (a common type) can recover from stress and may be subject to less cardiovascular disease, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

But what are known as the hard martial arts, such as karate and judo, seem to be gaining popularity among older people too. These hard martial arts typically have been for young dudes who are fit enough to leap through the air with a foot to the chin of an opponent skilled enough to earn a black belt. Some seniors now are turning from soft to hard.

Take 63-year-old Ron Roe. He did not let age keep him from earning a black belt in tae kwon do. The semi-retired home-health care worker in Aurora, Colorado, in nine years has earned the rank of third-degree black belt. It is said that only one out of every thousand martial arts students, young or not so young, has advanced to this stage of self-defense proficiency.

The so-called hard martial arts include karate, kung fu, judo, and aikido as well as tae kwon do.

Gary Hernandez in Zephyrhills, Florida, has been providing martial arts and self-defense seminars using what he calls the RDT system (Realistic Defense Tactics). He has a 57-year-old learning tai kwon do, as well as a pastor of a local church in his 60s also learning tae kwon do; it is one of the most popular martial arts. Hernandez says one of its most distinctive traits is its emphasis on kicks. The name “tae” translates to “kick and smash with the foot,”

Hernandez told me he has three 60-year-olds in his “cane masters” class where they are taught to use their canes as defense weapons. “The cane can go anywhere you go. It is a legal self-defense tool or weapon.” He and his staff work with people “with special needs of all ages and handicaps, even older people in wheelchairs.”

People Turning to Both Hard andSoft Martial Arts for Health and Self-Defense


His RDT system is “for men and women of all ages and sizes.” There are no high kicks. “The person uses their hands, fingers, elbows, feet, knees, and anything else they have with them as a weapon. For example keys, knife, stick, comb, belt, shoes, anything. You not only learn how to hit someone but also where to hit them. This is Realistic Defense Tactics,” he explained.

“A martial art can be defined as a system of techniques – physical and mental exercises – as self defense, both armed and unarmed,” Hernandez pointed out. “Some fighting styles emphasize weaponless techniques. Others put the emphasis on striking.”

Hernandez even offers knife-fighting techniques. “Students learn knife fighting that concentrates on in-close fighting against open hand attacks. We work on fighting drills with knife-to-knife attacks.

“Today, the martial arts are practiced for health and fitness, sport, and

spiritual benefits as well as self-defense – and for all ages,” Hernandez says.A retired plumber, Mark Copeland, 54, is being trained in a modified

form of tae kwon do. Several weeks after having both hips replaced in 2008, Copeland says he ran across martial arts while searching for a new form of exercise. He said he had to use a cane to walk into Hernandez’s school. Now he has a green belt, halfway to black-belt status. I can get around without a cane,” he said.

A 64-year-old Denver lawyer, Robert McKenna, reportedly said his tae kwon do exertions have resulted in a broken nose and some cracked ribs over the years. But he is still working out.

Curious martial arts seniors are advised by the U.S. Martial Arts Associa-tion to visit more than one school before making a commitment. Contracts are typically for one year and reportedly are in the $75/month range. ISI

By Kathryn DawsonGlaucoma is a serious condition of the eye that if left untreated can lead

to loss of fibers in the optic nerve. Once the optic nerve has been damaged in this way then peripheral vision can be affected severely. If there is no treatment at all then the central vision of the eye can become affected too. Eventually it can lead to partial or complete blindness.

There is treatment available for this illness however… a very successful treatment that can stop it in its tracks. Unfortunately, any sight that has been lost due to glaucoma cannot be restored; however, it can be prevented from getting any worse. Laser eye treatment has helped millions of people keep their sight by preventing any more damage occurring to the optic nerve.

Glaucoma is caused by the build up of pressure in the eye. It develops over considerable time but can eventually cause blurred vision or double vision. Even loss of sight is common. If you know that you or someone in your family has glaucoma then you should seek medical attention from an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

There are two types of glaucoma. Open angle glaucoma is the most com-mon type that develops and it is because the drainage canals in the eyes become blocked. This prevents fluid in the eye from circulating and flowing and this leads to a build up of pressure.

There is also a condition called closed angle glaucoma although this is rarer. This occurs because there is not enough space between the iris and the cornea, which is where the fluid in the eye needs to flow. This can lead to more serious symptoms including pain, blurriness, nausea, and red eyes. Symptoms of this type of glaucoma can come on very quickly due to a severe amount of eye pressure. This is most common in people over 70 and is more common in longsighted people who generally have smaller eyes and more chance of blockages.

It may be possible to prevent glaucoma from getting any worse with a course of eye drops. That is why it is so important that you consult with an eye doctor as soon as possible. Sometimes the eye drops do not help suf-ficiently however, and when this happens it may be necessary to undergo surgery. During the surgery, the blockage will be cleared so that the fluid can flow freely. The surgery is performed under anesthetic, and the recovery

All About Glaucoma and Glaucoma Treatment


By Elena LomabardiJust because you have macular degeneration

(or other vision-limiting conditions) doesn’t always mean you must give up driving or reading.

Ever look through a pair of field glasses or binoculars? Things look bigger and closer, and much easier to see. Dr. Jared L. Cooper of Southern Idaho/Utah and Dr. Cheryl Dumont of Coeur d’Alene are using miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration or other eye conditions.

“Some of my patients con-sider me the last stop for people who have vision loss”, says Dr. Cooper, a low vision optometrist who limits his practice to visually impaired patients in his offices throughout Southern Idaho.

“People don’t know that there are doctors who are very experienced in low vision care, many of my patients have been told that there was noth-ing left that they could do to improve their vision, fortunately this is usually not the case.”

“My job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning.” said Dr. Cooper. “Even if it’s driving”.

A patient of Dr. Cooper, Ross Johnson, 73 a

retired rancher from Utah, approached the Low Vision Clinic last February.

“I could not read the street signs soon enough when driving, and I couldn’t read my morning paper.”

He was fit with bioptic tele-scope glasses. “Amazing,” says Ross, “to be able to see things far away again. Even the televi-sion is so much better now.” He was also provided with a Clear Image Microscope glasses for reading the newspaper.

“Telescopic glasses usually cost over $2000,” says Dr. Coo-per, “especially if we fabricate

them with an automatic sunglass.”Not all low vision devices are that expensive

- reading glasses start at $500 and hand magni-fiers under $100. Every case is different because people have different levels of vision and different desires.

Call Dr. Cooper or Dr. Dumont for a free telephone interview at 800-451-2015 or visit Dr. Cooper on the Internet at www.drjaredcooper.com.

Dr. Jared L. Cooper Idaho License #ODP-100238.

Idaho eye doctors help legally blind to seeLocal low vision doctor helps those with vision impairment to keep reading and driving.

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period is very short.Laser eye surgery for glaucoma can be carried

out without the patient needing to stay overnight in hospital. After the procedure, there may be some time when the patient needs to rest so the anesthetic can wear off but otherwise they can go home. For a few days, it is important that the eyes rest, which means no reading, watching television, or using bright lights around the house. The eyes need to be kept clean too so they stay free from infection. There may be one or two check ups re-quired over the coming weeks and months so the consulting surgeon can check that the eyes are recovering exactly as they should be.

If you suspect you may have glaucoma or someone in your family does then you should book an appointment with an eye surgeon as soon as possible. They can carry out an assessment and prescribe the most appropriate course of action. For more information, contact your eye doctor. ISI

By Dr. Ingrid McLellan, DMD Losing a tooth can pose significant problems to your oral health, regardless of whether the tooth was lost due to disease or trauma. The remaining teeth can shift, changing your bite. The jawbone will resorb from where the tooth was lost, and addi-tional forces will be placed on the remaining teeth. Fortunately, there are several options to replace a missing tooth (or teeth), helping to counteract these problems. There are four basic ways to replace missing teeth: a fixed bridge, a partial denture, a complete denture, and implants. A fixed dental bridge can be likened to a bridge that you would walk or drive across. The supports for the bridge are crowns on either side of the space, and the space is spanned by a pontic, or prosthetic tooth. When only one or two teeth are missing in an area, a bridge can be a good option. A partial denture is considered when several teeth, but not all of the teeth, in one jaw are miss-ing. It is a removable metal and acrylic prosthesis that is made to replace the missing teeth and that clips onto the remaining teeth. A complete denture is used when all of the teeth are missing on one or both jaws. While it re-places all of the teeth, some people find complete dentures difficult or uncomfortable to wear and experience decreased function compared to their natural teeth. An implant is essentially a titanium post that is

placed in the jawbone beneath the gums. It can be used to replace single or multiple teeth with crowns and bridges, or it can be used to anchor dentures to make them more stable. As you can see, there are many ways to re-place a missing tooth. If you have lost all of your teeth, dentures may be the best option to replace them. While this may give you your smile back, you may not have the ability to bite and function that you once had. We have all seen those commercials on television for denture adhesive where the ac-tor bites into an apple or corn on the cob without their dentures coming out of place. Or perhaps you have dentures and you are tired of messing with the “goop” we know as denture adhesive. Is there another option to get that same stability, comfort, and peace of mind? That is where implants enter into the world of dentures. If your dentures are not completely stable, talk to your dentist about the possibility of getting implants placed under the denture. With a special attachment, the implants can be used to retain the denture and create that feeling of stability. Not only will it help increase your ability to bite and chew, but it can improve your speech and help you to live the active lifestyle you are used to. If you have any questions about replacing missing teeth, contact your dentist. He or she will be able to discuss what options would be best for your oral health. ISI

Solutions to tooth loss

By Jim Miller If you are a baby boomer, getting tested for hepatitis C would be a wise decision because boomers are five times more likely to have this virus than other generations, and most people that have it do not realize it. Those that are in-fected are at very high risk of eventually devel-oping liver cancer, cirrhosis, or other fatal liver diseases. Here is what else you should know. CDC Recommendations – The U.S. Cen-ters for Disease Control and Prevention recently announced that all Americans born from 1945 through 1965 get a hepatitis C test. The reason is baby boomers account for 75 percent of the 3 million or so hepatitis C cases in the U.S., even though they make up only 27 percent of the total population. Most hepatitis C infections occurred in the

1970s and 1980s, before there were tests to detect them and before the nation’s blood supply was routinely screened for the virus. Hepatitis C is transmitted only through blood, so anyone who received either a blood transfu-sion or an organ transplant prior to 1992 is at increased risk. So are health-care workers ex-posed to blood, and people who injected drugs through shared needles. The virus can also be spread through microscopic amounts of infected blood that could occur during sex, from sharing a razor or toothbrush, or getting a tattoo or body piercing at an unsterile shop. But the biggest part of the problem is the symptomless nature of this disease. Most people that have hepatitis C do not have any symptoms until their liver becomes severely damaged. It can actually take 30 years for people to show any signs of the virus, but by then, it may be too late to treat. But if it’s detected in time, new treatments are now available that can cure it. Testing and Treatment – If you’re between ages 47 and 67, or have one of the previously listed risk factors, you should see your primary care doctor for a basic blood test to determine whether you have ever been infected with hepatitis C. This is a relatively inexpensive test and typically covered by health insurance under routine medical care. If you’re not covered, the test will run $30 to $35. If the test is negative, no further tests are needed. But, if the test is positive, you will need another test called HCV RNA, which will show whether the virus is still active. This test runs between $100 and $250 if you are not covered by insurance. If you test positive, you have chronic hepa-titis C and will need to talk to your doctor about treatment options. If you are infected, but have no liver damage, your doctor should monitor your liver at your annual physical. The main treatments for chronic hepatitis C today are new antiviral medications that have a 75 percent cure rate. Your doctor may rec-ommend a combination of these medications, which are typically taken over a 24-to-48 week period. But, be aware that the side effects can be grueling and may cause extreme fatigue, fever, headaches, and muscle aches. Unfortunately, there is no vaccine currently

Why Baby Boomers Should Get Tested for Hepatitis C


available to prevent hepatitis C, although studies are under way to develop one. Savvy tips: For more information about testing and treatment for hepatitis C, along with a quick, online quiz you can take to determine

your risks, see the CDC’s website at cdc.gov/knowmorehepatitis. You can also get information over the phone by calling the national toll-free HELP-4-HEP helpline at 877-435-7443. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior,

P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ISI

By John Dorr, M.D. When I started practicing Orthopedic Surgery in 1975, it was not uncom-mon to have patients with femur fractures in traction in a 6-bed ward for a month or so. For most athletes, a torn ACL was a career ending injury. Back fusions required prolonged post-operative immobilization. What we could do in those days now seems hopelessly primitive: few arthritic joints could be replaced and fractures were usually treated in cumbersome casts. Bed rest and limited activity were encouraged, and braces were like those used by Forrest Gump. When my fellow residents and I finished our training, we felt we were at the cutting-edge of orthopedics. Looking back, I now know, we had only hazy notions of how bones, joints, and muscles worked as a unit. Orthopedics (from the Greek roots, “straight” and “child”) started as a branch of general surgery that focused on treating childhood deformities and has evolved into the treatment of the entire musculo-skeletal system. When I finished my residency, I was able to handle most orthopedic problems. Since then, the field has exploded. To deliver state-of-the-art medicine, one needs to be broadly trained and capable in the whole field but also able to concentrate on a limited area. Thus, we have fellowship-trained subspecial-ists in joint replacement, sports medicine, back surgery, hand surgery, foot surgery, pediatric orthopedics, and now even a traumatologist. Because of our desire to provide better and better care, our group has evolved from do-ing general orthopedics to being the regional leader in sub-specialty care. Orthopedics, like the rest of medicine has become much more scientific and evidence based. When I started, we relied on the experience of older, more experienced colleagues for treatment recommendations. These ideas were at best anecdotal. Now nearly all that we do has been rigorously studied with great credence given to prospective, double-blind studies, and meta-analyses. Computers enable us to track how our patients do and enable us to compare our results with others. Ongoing studies in the lab provide a better understanding of basic physiology and how the body responds to different treatments. Evidence-based science has affected just about everything orthopedic surgeons do. Our basic understanding of the musculo-skeletal system has grown rapidly. Multiple studies have shown how fractures best heal, the lon-gevity of implants, the economic benefits of early surgery, the biomechanics of running and throwing, and much more. Arthroscopy has let us see how joints actually work and how lesions interfere with function. Our ability to diagnose problems has been advanced by MRIs, CT scans, 3D reconstruc-tions, bone scans, and even in-office ultrasound. Joint implants and fracture fixation devices now undergo prolonged testing in the laboratory before being used on patients. There are ongoing studies on methods and materials to improve fracture healing, cartilage regeneration, and possible use of stem cells for spinal cord injuries. Perhaps the most dramatic advances have been in the area of surgery. From a few simple plates and screws that looked like they could have come from a hardware store, we now have a complex array of devices that let us fix fractures, replace joints, and correct deformities. Arthroscopy has let us do more accurate ligament reconstructions and tendon repairs on an outpatient basis. Along with more sophisticated devices we have a better understand-ing of surgical anatomy (allowing for minimally invasive surgery) and of the importance of ligament balance to allow for early motion. For the fixation of fractures, we now have plates designed for specific bones. Femur fractures are fixed with rods that can be put down the center of the bone and fixed with cross screws so patients can go home a few days after surgery – compared to a month or more when I started practicing. Severe pelvic and extremity injuries can be stabilized by pins placed in the bones and then supported by an external fixator. We have implants that allow the replacement of arthritic hips, knees, ankles, shoulders, elbows, and wrists. The design of these implants, the materials used, and the abil-ity to customize them for the patient’s anatomy means they are now lasting decades. In the spine, screws that can be put in the vertebral body and held with small plates allow for secure correction and fixation of deformities so patients can be rapidly mobilized rather than spending months in a cast. Artificial discs show promise in saving other levels in the back and neck. Rods and plates have been created that can lengthen with the growing child or take advantage of temporary growth arrest. For those previously career-ending ACL injuries, arthroscopic reconstruc-tion now lets over 90% of athletes return to cutting sports like soccer and

football. Elbow reconstructions, unknown 30 years ago, let pitchers return to the starting rotation. Arthroscopy allows for the repair of rotator cuff tears that were irreparable in the days of open surgery. We have become more sophisticated in planning for surgery. Computers allow for more accurate templating (choice and size of implant). Comput-ers also help us in surgery to put in more anatomically correct and properly aligned total knees. Robotic surgical systems are being developed but they are still in their infancy. Patients are spending much less time in the hospital. In part, this is due to the advances of arthroscopy and outpatient surgery but even patients with total joints and fractures are leaving sooner due to better pain manage-ment, more solid fixation of fractures, and a team approach to mobilization. The days of month long hospital stays are but a dim memory. As well as advances

The Growth Of Orthopedics


in surgery, there have been many advances in non-operative treatment. Many orthopedic problems do not need surgical treatment. Appropriate stretching, strengthening, and posture may alleviate much neck and back discomfort. Anti-inflammatories have been found to be useful for their analgesic proper-ties. Medicines have been developed to combat osteoporosis. Bone graft substitutes, proteins to stimulate bone growth, and stem cells are being tested in treating fractures that will not heal. In the world of athletics, the importance of sport-specific conditioning in preventing injuries has been recognized. The heavy braces of the polio days have been replaced by sleek ones made of composite materials. There are pre-made splints for most sports injuries. Prostheses for amputations are much lighter and now incorporate computers that allow for much more

energy efficient usage. It has become evident that routine fitness promotes general health, may protect joints, and decreases the risk of fractures. Not all advances have been good. The latest treatment isn’t always the best, and some procedures can have severe complications. There are problems that can’t be fixed and treatment is then best directed at helping patients cope with what they have. Despite these caveats the bottom line is that we can now provide much better care to many more patients than we could when I started practicing. E ven with all the changes over the last four decades, orthopedics remains at its core, learning about patients and their problems and deciding how best to help them. In the future, I hope that the tremendous advances that have been made in the care of patients with musculo-skeletal problems will be available to everyone and that patients become more involved in deciding their care and maintaining their own health. ISI

By the National Diabetes Education ProgramAs you get older, your risk for type 2 diabetes increases. You are also

at higher risk if you have a family history of diabetes. But you are never too old to lower your diabetes risk. Studies have shown that modest weight loss through healthy eating and increased physical activity is highly effective in preventing or delaying type 2 diabetes in people over age 60.

Getting Started: How to Get Moving - Physical activity can improve your strength, flexibility, and balance. Start by setting small, specific goals for your-self, like, “I will walk for 10 minutes, three days this week.” Add a little more activity each day until you reach at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week.

Ask your healthcare provider which activities are safe for you. Before any physical activity, be sure to warm up for a few minutes to get your body ready. Try shrugging your shoulders, tapping your toes, swinging your arms, or just moving in place.

Four Ways to Be More Physically Active - There are many types of physi-cal activity you can do at little or no cost, such as walking or doing chair exercises. Finding an activity you enjoy will make it easier to stick to your schedule and reach your goals. Try these simple suggestions:

• Around Town - Becoming more active can also be a great way to meet friends. Try joining a local walking group. Always walk in safe places such as a shopping mall, museum, or a community center.

• While Running Errands - Make physical activity part of your regular routine. Park the car farther away from stores or restaurants. If you take the bus or train – and the neighborhood is safe – get off a stop earlier and walk the rest of the way. Go for a brisk walk between errands.

• With Your Family - Getting your family involved can make physical ac-tivity more fun. Teach the younger people in your life the dances you enjoy. You can even plan a trip to the local pool and go for a swim together. Moving around in the water is a great activity that is gentle on your joints.

• Get Outside - When you can, take your physical activity outside. Simple activities such as planting a garden or washing your car are great ways to get more active. You can also go for a walk with friends or family at the local zoo, nature park, or outdoor walking path.

For more tips to help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes, down-load or order the free It’s Not Too Late to Prevent Diabetes. Take Your First Step Today tip sheet from the National Diabetes Education Program at www.YourDiabetesInfo.org or call 1-888-693-6337, or TTY: 1-866-569-1162. ISI

Five Ways You CanBe More Physically Active


By Lisa M. PetscheMore than ever in today’s fast-paced world,

older family members, who have many Christ-mases under their belt and usually have some time to spare can be instrumental in making the season more meaningful and enjoyable for younger generations and their offspring.

Given their early life experiences and the wisdom that comes with age, they are well-positioned, for example, to take a leadership role in taming Christmas commercialism – a concern shared by many of today’s parents – and model-ing environmental stewardship.

Elders are also the key to traditions, passing them along and perhaps developing new ones. Traditions help solidify a family, giving it a unique identity that provides each member with feelings of belonging and security.

Read on for some ways to enhance your family’s celebration of the season and create lasting memories.

Addressing stress – Prepare extra batches of holiday treats and share them.

Offer to babysit so parents can go shopping, or invite the grandkids over for an afternoon or evening so their parents can wrap gifts without interruption.

Check the newspaper for special events suit-able for families, such as choral shows, pageants and open skating sessions – especially those that are free or low-cost. Pass on details, or offer to take the grandkids to one of them.

Gift giving – Resist the urge to go overboard with gift giving. Limit the number and magnitude of gifts you give, and ensure equity.

Suggest a new tradition of drawing names, giving family presents in lieu of individual gifts or buying only for the children.

Run ideas by the parents before purchasing gifts for your grandchildren or grand nieces and nephews. Ask for suggestions to ensure your selections are age appropriate and compatible with individual needs and preferences, as well as the family’s values. In this regard, avoid products that are trendy, disposable, have limited use, require batteries, or do not appear durable. Also, seek out gifts that promote good values.

Consider alternatives to the usual store-bought items. These include: homemade food or handcrafted items; gifts of time, involving a service like babysitting or a talent such as hair-styling or photography; gifts of experience that allow the recipient to try something new, like a sport, musical instrument, lessons, or an offer to teach a skill you possess, such as sewing or woodworking; gifts the whole family can enjoy together – for example, museum passes, a board game, or a large jigsaw puzzle; and charitable donations in honor of loved ones. Let others

know you would welcome these types of gifts.If you’re not sure what to give, choose a

gift certificate from the person’s favorite place to shop or dine or a large department store or bookstore.

For wrapping, choose reusable gift bags and boxes, or get creative and make the wrapping part of the gift – for example, a scarf or photo storage box. Leave oversized gifts unwrapped, hide them and provide clues on where to find them.

Enlist your grandchildren’s help in making gift tags from old Christmas cards.

Planning – Be sensitive to family members’ competing obligations in terms of work schedules and holiday plans with in-laws. Do not make as-sumptions about availability or insist on certain dates, times, or locations for family events, but rather negotiate plans that work for everyone.

Be prepared to modify or forego traditions that are no longer practical (for example, a late night gathering). Recognize, too, that young parents may wish to start some family traditions of their own.

Consider starting a new tradition – perhaps a tree decorating party at your home or a festive sing-along (obtain songbooks and easy-to-use musical instruments such as tambourines and maracas).

Quality time and fostering connections – Take your grandchildren on a special outing – for example, a holiday light tour, attending a church bazaar, shopping for a special gift for their par-ents or purchasing gifts to donate to a toy drive.

Invite the grandkids over for decorating or to watch a classic holiday movie.

Attend grandchildren’s school Christmas pageants or holiday recitals.

Share family recipes for special dishes or sweets. Invite members over for a hands-on cooking or baking demonstration.

Share your recollections of childhood Christ-mases, including family customs, memorable gifts, and touching or humorous moments.

With a little planning and creativity, you will be able to instill or per-petuate those holiday values that will help your grandchildren recall their Christmas adven-tures fondly for years to come.

Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and a freelance writer special-izing in inter-genera-tional issues. ISI

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By Jim Miller When it comes to raising grandkids, you definitely have plenty of company. Across the country, about 5.8 million children are living with their grandparents, as the parents struggle with a variety of problems such as financial hardship, drug and alcohol addiction, prison time, domestic violence, divorce, and more. To help with the day-to-day expenses of rais-ing grandkids, a variety of government programs and tax benefits can make a big difference in stretching your budget. Here’s where to look for help. Financial Assistance – For starters, find out whether your family qualifies for your state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which may include cash assistance, food stamps, and free or low-cost daycare. Or, if your household income is too high to qualify as a family, ask about the “child-only grant” for just the grandchild’s support alone. Also, find out if your state offers any additional programs like guard-ianship subsidies, non-parent grants, or kinship care. Contact your state TANF program (see www.

acf.hhs.gov/programs/ofa for contact informa-tion), or call your county social services office for more information. You also need to find out if your grand-kids are eligible for So-cial Security, including benefits for children, survivor benefits, or SSI. You can find this out at your local Social Security office, or call 800-772-1213 or see www.ssa.gov. And finally, use benefitscheckup.org, a comprehensive web resource that helps you search for additional financial assistance programs that you may be eligible for, such as lower energy bills, dis-counts on prescription medications, and more. Tax Benefits – In

addition to the financial assistance resources, Uncle Sam offers some tax benefits that may help you too like the Dependency Exemption that allows you to deduct $3,800 in 2102 on each qualifying grandchild. There’s also the Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC that is available to those with moderate to low incomes, or the Child Tax Credit if you make too much money to qualify for the EITC. If you’re working, and are incurring childcare expenses in order to work, there’s a Child and Dependent Care Credit that can help. And, if you choose legally to adopt your grandkids, there’s an Adoption Credit that provides a federal tax credit of up to $12,650 per child. There are even education-related tax credits through the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit to help if your grandkids go to college. To learn more about these tax benefits call 800-829-1040, or visit www.irs.gov. You can also call the IRS publication line at 800-829-3676 and ask them to mail you the following publications: 501, 503, 596, 970, 972, and Form 8839. Health Insurance – If your grandkids need health insurance, depending on your income level, you may be able to get free or low-cost health insurance through your state’s Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. See insurekidsnow.gov or call 877-543-7669 for more information. Legal Issues – You also need to talk to a fam-ily law attorney to discuss the pros and cons of obtaining legal guardianship, custody, or adoption. Without some sort of legal custody, you may not be eligible for many of the previously listed financial assistance programs, and there can be problems with basic things like enrolling your grandkids in school, or giving a doctor permission to treat them. If your need help locating affordable or free legal assistance use findlegalhelp.org, or call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 for referrals. Savvy tip: To find support with other grandpar-ents who are raising their grandchildren, visit the AARP GrandCare Support Locator at giclocalsup-port.org where you can search for support groups in your area. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit Sav-vySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. ISI

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By Lisa M. Petsche Due to cold temperatures, snow and ice, and the prevalence of viruses, winter poses extra health and safety risks. The following are numerous ways to minimize the risk of problems for a relative in your care. Health Tips – If you have not already done so, arrange for your rela-tive to get a flu shot. Those over 65 years of age, especially if they have chronic illnesses, are at high risk for complications from influenza, which is a leading cause of death among adults in that age group. Ensure your relative takes in plenty of fluids, as the dryness caused by heating systems can lead to dehydration. Serve foods rich in vitamin C, to help ward off viruses and infections. Serve warm foods and beverages to raise body temperature. Limit intake of alcohol, as it is dehydrating and speeds up loss of body heat. Stock up on non-perishable foods and bottled water, and refill pre-scriptions at least a week before they run out. Ensure the indoor temperature remains above 65 F, ideally no lower than 68 F. Hypothermia is a risk even indoors, due to the decreased cir-culation that tends to accompany aging, as well as to inactivity, illness, and some medications. Ask your relative’s doctor or pharmacist to review his or her medi-cations and advise if any of them affect the body’s ability to regulate temperature. Ensure your relative dresses warmly and in loose-fitting layers. Don’t forget warm footwear, too. Slippers should offer adequate support, fit well, and have a skid-resistant sole. Provide your relative with several layers of warm bedding. Flannel sheets are ideal. Keep throws in the living room and bedroom, for easy access to extra warmth on drafty days and nights. Prepare for a power outage by creating a kit containing candles, proper candleholders, matches, flashlights or a battery-powered lamp, a battery-operated radio, fresh batteries, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable food. Store it in an accessible place. Indoor Safety – Buy rechargeable flashlights that plug into the wall and automatically turn on when the power goes out. Ensure heat registers and vents are not obstructed. Exercise caution with space heaters, which can pose a significant fire hazard. Keep them several feet away from walls and combustible objects, as well as out of traffic areas. Place candles where they won’t be knocked over, and away from lampshades, curtains, and other flammable materials. Ensure any fires – from a fireplace or burning candles – are extin-guished before you go out or retire to bed. Remain indoors during storms and extreme cold. Take into account not only the thermometer temperature but also the wind-chill factor. Outdoor Safety – When you venture out, ensure your relative has a warm coat, scarf, gloves or mittens, and a hat. If he or she is weight bearing, a pair of boots with good treads is necessary. You, too, should have non-skid boots, in case you need to provide hands-on assistance. If your relative uses a cane, buy an ice pick that fits onto the end of it and folds up when not in use. These are available at home healthcare stores. Keep walkways clear of snow and ice. If you have health problems or a large property, pur-chase a snow blower, or hire a young neighbor or a snow removal service. Keep your car well maintained and the fuel tank at least half-full. Ensure the following emergency supplies are on board: a flashlight with extra batteries, emergency flares, blan-kets, hats and mittens, and non-perishable snacks. A cell phone also comes in handy, to summon help quickly if needed; do make sure it’s charged before you head out. An automobile club membership is another good idea. Check the local weather report before head-ing out on the road. Avoid going out if a storm warning has been issued. Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and a freelance writer specializing in inter-genera-tional issues. ISI

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Artricle & Photo By Dianna TroyerAlthough he retired last year after serving

28 years on the Cassia County Fair Board, Ted Higley still helps in any way he can.

“They called me back this past summer, so I put up flags the Monday of fair week,” recalls the 68-year-old Malta rancher whose last fair board meeting was in December 2011. “When we went to the fair this past August, it was tough not to be working. I kept thinking I had to go take care of some things.”

His wife, Betty Ann, says, “The fair will always be in his blood because he served so long. Ev-eryone on the board was like family.”

This past summer Ted supported the 4-H program during the fat stock sale by bidding on beef his grandson raised and sheep his grand-daughters raised.

Every January for nearly three decades, Ted and other board members began planning the popular fair in Burley. Thousands of people come to the fair “because we liked to have something for everyone,” he says of rodeos, team penning, a parade, a jamboree, carnival, concerts, horse races, and 4-H exhibits. “In January, we started scheduling rodeo stock, food vendors, security, and entertainment.”

Ted and other board members’ goal was to provide inexpensive entertainment for southeast-ern Idaho residents. “We don’t have a gate fee like other fairs do. We offer a lot of free events, so people can afford to take their families.”

The fair is like a homecoming and is so popu-lar that Ted always had phone calls in winter from people wanting to know the fair dates, so they could plan high school class reunions, family reunions, and vacations during fair week.

“The fair board members were devoted to the county and being able to do something for people,” says Ted, who attended fair board meet-ings the first Tuesday of every month in Burley. “I still miss working with all the people.”

Without the support of his wife, Betty Ann, Ted says he wouldn’t have been able to serve on the board for so long. “You don’t last that long without your wife being there for you.”

Todd Powers of Sublett replaced Ted.“He trained with us for a year, so he was ready

to go,” Ted explains.In his home office, a wall is covered with pho-

tos of the fair and board members, reminding him of his decades of service.

“Of the members I started serving with years ago; I was the only one left. The others retired before I did. I was going to retire during the 100th anniversary of the fair, but they talked me into staying a year longer. I thought it was time for someone younger to step in with new ideas. I don’t have quite the energy I once did.”

On his desk are other mementos of the fair in-

cluding several gold and silver belt buckles given to him to show appreciation for his volunteerism. He was awarded one of the buckles for winning a team penning event. He also cherishes a fair board jacket and a black pure fur felt cowboy hat, his retirement gift.

“They called Vickers in Twin Falls and asked what the most expensive 100X cowboy hat was,

then gave me a check for that amount and told me to go pick it out.”

While he is grateful for those gifts, the memo-ries of working with people at the fairs are more valuable and priceless to him.

“I loved working with all the volunteers and being able to watch our kids do 4-H with sheep, beef, and sewing projects,” he says of Heath, Heather, Hank, and Holly. “Then I watched them and their friends grow up and saw their kids do 4-H. I’ve enjoyed seeing several generations of 4-Hers go through the fair.”

In 1983, Ted began serving on the board after Glen Parke retired. “I was surprised the commis-sioners asked me to serve, but I thought it would be fun and jumped right in. I told them I wouldn’t be serving 20 years, though. I was wrong about that.”

It took a few years for Ted to learn the ropes. “I started at the bottom as a grunt, taking care of the restrooms and cleaning the grounds. Then, I was put in charge of 4-H for several years. The last 15 years, I oversaw the rodeos, lining up the bullfighters, clowns, and livestock contractor. We’ve always used the Bar T Rodeo Company for livestock, so we renew their contract every three years.”

Serving on the fair board has allowed him to travel. “I’ve been to places I wouldn’t have gone to otherwise, met some great people, and learned a lot,” he says of trips to the Denver Stock Show, fair conventions, and rodeos to sign contracts. “We were able to offer competitors some extra bonus money for purses by qualifying to be a Dodge rodeo.”

During the past decades, Ted and other fair board members have overseen numerous im-provements at the fairgrounds in Burley.

“We think the changes have been for the best. We put a roof over the show arena, bought some land for the carnival rides, built a swine barn, put up a new art building, put in a cement walkway in front of the grandstands, and reroofed build-ings. We always did the best we could with what we had.” ISI

Ted Higley devotes himself to Cassia County Fair

Article & Photos By Dianna TroyerAs an Iowa teen working on the family farm,

Duane Knos yearned to steer a plane instead of a plow.

“World War II gave me a chance to fulfill my dream,” says the 88-year-old Rupert resident, a retired geography professor, who is grateful to have survived being a prisoner of war for six days in Germany.

“In 1942, on my 18th birthday, I hitchhiked to Des Moines and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps,” recalls Duane, who after finishing flight training was assigned to the 362nd Fighter Group and sent to France, where he flew missions throughout the Bulge and northern Germany.

“I had flown 72 successful missions without being shot down,” says Duane who piloted a P-47 Thunderbolt, a fighter plane. “We jokingly called ourselves ‘jug’ pilots because the planes were shaped like a big cylinder or jug. They weren’t attractive, but they had a reputation for being de-pendable planes that would bring us home.”

One April morning, Duane took off to fly an armed reconnaissance mission south of Gottingen, Germany. While taxiing down the runway, he said his usual prayer.

“‘God, don’t let me screw this up.’ I always said that to get my head in the right place. We were to search for targets and found some – a train and a

truck convoy. My flight made a pass on the convoy, and there was no flak. On the second pass, I met a wall of flak and took a shot in the engine.”

For 15 minutes, Duane was able to keep his damaged plane aloft, even though it was on fire and the hydraulic system was shot.

“I throttled up to get some power and altitude, so I could fly over the mountains, but the engine just disintegrated and the prop stopped dead. It was a sickening feeling. I didn’t want to belly-land on the mountainside, so I steered it around 90 degrees and headed for the valley.”

As his plane crashed into trees, he slashed his forehead on the gun site. Dazed and bleeding, he got out of the plane.

“I started running across a meadow, and guards in an observation tower began shooting at me.”

He ran toward some woods, leaped over a

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5-foot-tall fence and hid in a ditch.“I covered up with leaves and held still like I had been trained. Eventu-

ally, a German soldier came over and shouted, ‘Halt! Don’t try to run.’ It was funny because I was so exhausted I could hardly walk, let alone run.”

Duane was taken to a town and was joined with other American prison-ers. They were marched along and eventually interrogated at a farmhouse.

“As a first lieutenant, I was the ranking officer,” says Duane, who had been trained to say only his name, rank, and serial number.

During interrogation, a German officer spit on Duane. “I was tired and angry and yelled at him and said I expected the same respect he showed to his officers. I thought I was going to be shot.”

Instead of being executed, Duane and an-other prisoner were taken to a military hospital where his head injury was treated.

“When the infantry took the hospital, the German doctor was extremely happy to have his part of the war over and was quick to give his gun to me.”

When Duane got back to his squadron, the flight surgeon put him in an American military hospital, where his wound was sewed up.

“I had to hang around for a week until the stitches could be removed and was going nuts with nothing to do. A nurse introduced me to the concentration camp survivors and asked me to take them outside in wheelchairs, so they could get fresh air. It was heart wrenching. You could see their bones through their skin. They couldn’t even talk because they were so weak.”

With Europe liberated, Duane and other pilots were ecstatic, and every-one was excited to go home.

After being discharged, Duane returned to Iowa in June and proposed to his high school sweetheart, Lucy, whom he had met at a high school music

camp.“It was funny that I had to get parental permission to marry because

I was only 20, yet I had had adult wartime responsibilities and had been awarded a Purple Heart, 12 Air Medals, four presidential citations, and a Distinguished Flying Cross.”

He and Lucy were married in Moville, Iowa, on Aug. 19, 1945. With the GI bill, Duane earned his bachelor’s degree from Upper Iowa

University in Fayette and later went to the University of Iowa and earned a master’s and PhD in geography. He was of-fered a job at the Central Intelligence Agency but turned it down for academia instead.

“I wanted to be able to come home and talk to my family about how my day went, which the CIA wouldn’t allow,” says Duane, who was a professor at the University of Kansas and Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

In 1986, when he retired, he and Lucy moved from Massachusetts to Rupert to be near their daughter, Nanette, and her husband, John Eiler, who taught in the area.

“Our other daughter and her husband, Bar-bara and Jeff Feroce, moved out with us and opened Stockroom Family Shoes in Rupert,” says Lucy. “We love it here.”

They soon became members of the Rupert United Methodist Church, joined local sing-ing groups, and volunteered for a variety of community projects. Duane also worked on economic development projects. Every year, Duane and Lucy help with an annual auction

at the historic Wilson Theatre. “We celebrated our 67th wedding anniversary in August,” says Duane.

“We enjoy spending time with our children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. We’ve been blessed.” ISI

Article & Photo By Dianna Troyer Wearing a wetsuit, yellow neoprene bathing cap, and

earplugs, Alice Schenk peered over the edge of a ferry in San Francisco Bay, ready to plunge into the 60-degree water to swim 1.5 miles to shore.

“The wind and whitecaps made the water look like a giant washing machine, constantly churning, with rolling waves,” recalls the 54-year-old endurance athlete from Rupert. She was among 861 swimmers who hoped to reach the shore during the 17th annual Alcatraz Invita-tional in September.

“Because there were so many of us, we had to jump three at a time from both sides of two ferries and swim away as quickly as we could, so others could get in the water,” recalls Alice. “As I was surfacing, someone’s foot accidentally slammed into my left calf. Hard. My calf really

hurt and could have cramped up, and I wouldn’t have been able to swim. I had to tread water for several minutes until the pain subsided.”

She had spent months training, swimming up-stream in the Snake River with friends to grow ac-customed to the currents in the bay. Besides Alice, Brent Lee, Guy Redder, Temp Patterson, Mike Tilley, and John Jepson also competed in the popular race, nicknamed the Escape from Alcatraz. The race was organized to commemorate a famed escape from the notorious federal prison in 1962 when prisoners built a raft and rowed away from the rock.

“During a pre-race briefing, we were told the current changes direction at one point in the bay and sweeps out toward Golden Gate Bridge and could carry us off course,” says Alice. “I kept to the left as advised but a little too far

, y, e, as the built

rrent s out urse,” oo far

Spiritual fuel fi resAlice Schenk during endurance events


and probably swam 1.7 instead of 1.5 miles.”An hour and 15 minutes after she started,

Alice reached the finish line at Hyde Street Pier. The other swimmers from the Mini-Cassia area all finished.

“I was so excited. I thanked God and my supportive husband, Wayne. I’m wired to run, bike, swim, hike, and ski. That’s just how God made me,” says Alice, who has completed 32 marathons, four Ironman events, six half Ironman events, two ultra marathons, and 23 Burley Lions Club Spudman triathlons. “I love doing anything outdoors.”

Alice gives credit for her athletic accomplish-ments to God and Wayne, who encourages her and serves on her pit crew when he can get away from their farm where he grows grain and hay.

“I get excited for her,” says Wayne. “I’ve al-ways wanted to help her reach her dreams. She’s special and incredibly motivated. She deserves the best.”

During competitions, Alice often wears a T-shirt printed with Isaiah 40:31 on the back, in reference to her favorite Bible verse.

“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Alice relies on her spiritual faith to fuel her body for endurance events.

“Anything noteworthy that I’ve done is be-cause of God. He has blessed and enabled me. He gets the credit. We put forth the training effort, but if we give our will to him, through the power of his spirit we can do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what we otherwise might, according to his power. He gives more than we can ever imagine, and I’m living proof.”

Alice encourages others to reach their fitness goals and teaches running and health classes at the College of Southern Idaho. She shows students how to make a training plan and uses her training notebooks as an example.

“I have a type A personality, so I like things planned and organized,” says Alice showing some calendars dating as far back as high school, in which she kept track of the miles she ran. Her training logs now record swimming, bik-

ing, weight lifting, skiing, and kayaking.“I started running for our junior high track team.

I wasn’t good at sprints, so I ran distance events.”She says her high school track times weren’t

very impressive, but she got better and ran track and cross-country for Boise State University, even earning a field hockey scholarship while there.

“For me, running has always been a great time to think and memorize things, a workout for the brain as well as the body,” says Alice who writes passages on index cards and takes them with her during her runs.

She’ll be training this winter to enter her next big endurance event, the 61.9-mile Sawtooth Re-lay, a mountainous race from Stanley to Ketchum in June 2013. Last year, she competed solo. She won first place among solo runners with a time of 12 hours, 50 minutes and 40 seconds and broke the women’s record by 80 minutes.

“I was overwhelmed and so excited,” she says. “I think I can do it even faster this coming year. I had 80 minutes of down time when I was eating, taking photos, or changing clothes. We’ll see,” she says with a grin and gleam in her eyes. ISI

Article By Dianna TroyerPhoto By Drew Nash

Years ago, to express their joy to the world for their son’s Christmas Day birth, Roy and Sandra “Sam” Wojcik put up some outdoor lights at their home – nothing too extravagant.

More than two decades later, their ges-ture to commemorate Joshua’s entry into the world has morphed into a free popular holi-day extravaganza, a glimmering Christmas gift to the Magic Valley tucked in the South Hills near Twin Falls.

“When we moved to our five-acre prop-erty on Rock Creek Road, we made the display bigger in 1991 and have gone crazy since then,” says Roy, estimating more than 255,000 lights cover two acres. “It’s probably more than that, but I’m not about to start counting.”

Their dazzling display of Christmas cheer, dubbed Royland, takes months to prepare and attracts more than 100,000 people to the Wojciks’ home from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day.

“We have charter buses and people coming from as far as Salt Lake City, Boise, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and Nevada,” says Roy, estimating their Christmas creativity costs about $2,000 in additional electricity.

“Seeing the appreciation and joy on people’s faces makes all the extra work and expense worthwhile. This year, we’ll synchronize Christmas music with the lights, so they’ll blink and twinkle in a rhythm with the songs.”

Elves mingle with visitors and Santa passes out more than 25,000 candy canes each season. The star attraction is Bull, a camel, who munches carrots every night.

“He’s such a ham and loves the atten-tion,” says Roy. Bull’s owner, Jeff Shriver of Buhl, catches the holiday spirit of giving and donates Bull’s services for a couple of months.

Sam volunteers to organize the gar-gantuan project.

“We hire a crew, and they start putting up lights in late August,” says Sam, of the two full-time employees who work from noon to 7 p.m. and several part-time high school students who help a couple of hours

after school. “We’re the only people who start thinking of Christmas in summer and

fall,” she says. “Because of the weather, we have to leave the lights up until March or April.”

First, the crews put lights on the trees, and then turn their attention to the scenes.

“It gets bigger and bigger every year, and I change the scenes, too, so it’s always new and fresh,” says Sam. “It’s quite a project.”

On their roof, lighted reindeer skim along, and candy canes dangle. Twinkling outlines of flamingos, ladybugs, frogs, flowers, angels, and even tractors sparkle in their yard.

Wojciks’ dazzling light show spreads joy in Magic Valley


Next year will be the last time the Wojciks set up the light display at their home. Instead, they will decorate their nearby business, the Rock Creek General Store.

“We’re trying to simplify our lives a little,” says Roy, 60, who owns Metal’s Research Corporation and the store. “Sam is 58. We decided we’d like to get some privacy back in our lives during the holidays.”

Sam says their biggest fans are their children, Josh, 38, an engineering student who lives in Se-attle, and Melanie, 34, who helps run their store.

“They love coming home for the holidays,” says Sam. ISI

Article By Dianna TroyerPhoto By Kim Dilworth

Before they ride with the Minidoka Wranglers, Myra Beck, 58, and Donna Hart, 72, check off their pre-ride check-list: red cowgirl hat, red vest, red boots, white tuxedo shirt, blue jeans, horses, and riding tack.

Along with their western clothing, critters, and gear, the two members of the precision women’s riding group pack along a few other essentials: a sense of humor, cowgirl camaraderie, and riding skills that have won them countless tro-phies at contests. In July, the Wranglers won first place in their district contest.

“Sometimes we joke we’re the best of the worst,” says Myra, club historian. The Wranglers, a chapter of the Idaho State Riding Association, are based in Rupert and formed in 1965 to perform at rodeos, pa-rades, and in district and state competitions.

Myra, a Burley resident, started riding with the Wranglers in 1967 when she was 13. “You have to be at least that old to join. Then you can ride for as long as you can. There’s no upper age limit. We have riders in their 70s.”

Donna has been laughing her way through practices and contests since 1987.

“We have a good time and enjoy the exer-cise and companionship of each other and our horses,” says Donna, a Rupert resident, who rides with her granddaughter, Bradie Hart, 18.

Myra rides with her daughter-in-law Carla Beck, 36, and her 13-year-old granddaughter, Samantha, Carla’s daughter.

“It’s a great recreational family event,” says Myra.

“We all enjoy riding and being with people who share the same interests,” says Carla, presi-dent of the 34-member organization.

Their horses enjoy the riding group, too. Myra says her 4-year-old mare Lady Bug looks forward to getting out, and so do Coke, 4, and Nutmeg, 20, the mares that Carla and Samantha ride.

“There’s nothing worse than a horse standing out in the field,” says Myra. “They like to have a purpose. And riding is a lot more fun than leading

a horse around.”At contests, riding groups

are judged in a mounted drill and horseback games.“Our drill is limited to eight minutes,” says

Donna of the fluid figure eights, side passes, and other patterns the riders must execute in a group as they walk, trot, and canter in an arena.

“It’s a challenge to memorize the patterns and keep your horse moving in a controlled and rhyth-mic manner,” says Carla, who began riding with the group 17 years ago.

The games are less stressful.“They seem to be everyone’s favorite part of

the contests,” says Carla of relay races and other games.

The rope race is one of Donna’s favorites. She

and Carla have teamed up with each other. They each hold an end of a rope as they lope along a course at a steady pace, so neither one drops the end of the rope.

To prepare for competitions, the group begins practicing in spring every Tuesday and Thursday at the Minidoka County Fairgrounds.

The group welcomes new riders.“You just need a horse and have to make a

commitment to come to practices,” says Carla.“Our only requirement is that you’re able to

ride,” says Myra.A sense of humor helps, too.“Once we were rained on and were wear-

ing red-and-white straw hats that drooped and looked awful the wetter they got,” recalls Myra.

A desire to travel is needed, too.“In the past, we’ve ridden at rodeos in

Nampa, Preston, Island Park, Tremonton, American Falls, and as far as Reno, Ne-vada,” says Myra.

This year, the Wranglers had enough interest from their kids to start a Junior Posse riding group.

“Our group is limited to women, so the junior group is for all our kids, boys and girls,” says Carla. “They were coming with us to practice anyway. We have about a dozen in it.”

Myra says, “You start them young, and they think the Wranglers are as much a routine of life as brushing teeth. They

learn horsemanship skills and the importance of teamwork. They’re the future of the group.”

After competing throughout summer, the Wran-glers wind down in the fall.

“Our family fun day is in October, and the state awards banquet is in November,” says Donna. “I don’t think I’ll ever quit. I might not start again if I took a year off.”

For more information about the Wranglers or to join, Carla may be contacted at 208-878-2325; Myra at 208-670-1711; and Donna at 208-436-8830. Dues cost $50 a season. ISI

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By Dianna TroyerBack in 1912, first generation American mi-

grant David Schorzman packed a railroad car with all he needed for a successful farming future in southeastern Idaho.

“He moved from South Dakota with seed, grain, farm implements, furniture, $12,000 in his pocket, and a lot of hope,” recalls Gary Schorzman, 71, David’s grandson who lives north of Rupert on the family farm.

Gary’s great grandparents were part of the wave of immigrants who fled the Bolshevik Revolu-tion in Ukraine, South Russia and became known as Germans from Russia.

This coming year, Gary will tell stories of his ancestors and other early settlers during a year-long celebration of Minidoka County’s centennial, which he is organizing as chairman of the centen-nial committee. On Jan. 28, 1913, the county was established and named Minidoka, a Shoshone word meaning broad expanse or place of water.

David Schorzman was among 325 Germans whose families were lured to southeastern Idaho with the promise from the federal government of homesteading 320 acres of farmland on the North Side Project and with the future of irrigation from

the Minidoka Dam. Water would find its way to the North Side Project in the 1950s by digging deep wells, but never from the Snake River.

“He did fine with dry land wheat until 1917 when a drought hit, and ravenous rabbits kept eating the crop. By 1920, he along with most of the other homesteaders had lost everything except his faith in God, love of music, and optimism. He always said, ‘The sun will shine on our doorstep again.’”

The German migrants lost their farms but never their loyalty to their adopted country. In the midst of their financial struggles, they bought war bonds to support the U.S. military during World War I.

“Local bankers hitched up horses to their buckboards and rode out to these farms to sell the bonds,” says Gary. “The Germans’ patriotism was never questioned because of their generosity during the war.”

To recover financially, David moved his family of ten children to Lodi, California where relatives of his wife Christina Neuharth lived. He began sharecropping and doing migrant farm work for three years in California and back in Idaho.

By 1923, he had saved enough money and

Centennial celebration For German settlers, Minidoka County became home on the Snake River Plain


the Dakotas, and Ukraine to do research. “I’ve always loved history and like to remind myself, ‘If you want to know

where you’re going, you have to know where you came from.’ ” He wrote eight books encompassing eight immigrant families, “The

Schorzman Chronicles,” and donated copies to North Dakota State University and South Dakota State Historical Society.

From 2000 to 2002, he was president of the Minidoka County Historical Society. As he gathered historical photos and wrote settlers’ stories, he be-came the county’s de facto historian.

Due to his knowledge of local history, Gary helped plan Rupert’s town centennial in 2006 and was asked by county commissioners to plan this year’s Minidoka county centennial.

The centennial festivities officially begin Thursday, Jan. 17 at the Minidoka County Museum. A handmade miniature stagecoach will be given away in a drawing. On Saturday, Jan. 26, the county’s birthday celebration is scheduled at Minico High School auditorium with a Chautauqua performance that will blend educational speakers and entertainers.

Throughout the year, Gary is placing traveling photo displays in local schools and the library. A tent with displays will be erected during the county’s major events. An essay contest of “Why I Love Minidoka County” will be of-fered to all four Minidoka County Elementary schools.

“One of our biggest events will be on Memorial Day. Simultaneously at the county’s three cemeteries, we’ll have an invocation, raise flags, play Taps, and have a 21-gun salute.”

He plans to have an entry at the Fourth of July parade and a display at the antique Power Farm show at the county fair in August. A commemorative centennial pewter ornament has been designed. Throughout the year, calen-dars will be sold with historic photos from Minidoka, Acequia, Paul, Heyburn, Rupert, Adelaide, and Emerson.

Gary does not have to look far for photos or items to display this coming year. His property is a living history museum with antique farm implements painted and parked in neat rows near the 1906 barn. Still standing are the smokehouse, three-seat outhouse, and tiny bunkhouse where his parents originally lived.

In the farmhouse, his childhood bedroom under the attic eaves has a wooden traveling hand box brought from West Prussia by his maternal great grandmother in 1878. The attic has other mementos of an earlier life, includ-ing butter churns, woven rugs, and trunks.

“The farm is still a great place. We have had wedding and family reunions here. I’m proof that you can always come back home.”

To volunteer or learn more about centennial events, call Gary at 208-436-3982 or 208-312-1556. ISI

returned to south-eastern Idaho, only after traveling to Lodi, California with two Model T Fords to bring his family back to Mini-doka County. In 1926, he bought a 103-acre farm with 38 irrigated acres.

“Irrigating 38 acres of sand that encompassed 17 fields gave new meaning to labor intensive,” says Gary. “This time, grandpa barely made a living. My dad was 8 years old and along with four other siblings and the i r dad, thinned beets on their hands and

knees for $5 a day. Then in 1935, he hit it big with a bumper crop of red clover and Alsyke clover and great prices. By 1937, grandpa was prosper-ous enough to buy a new Studebaker Commander car, a fur-trimmed coat, and new teeth for grandma.”

Meanwhile, the family and friends tore down the old two-story homestead house and rebuilt the first house in the area to be electrified, plumbed for hot and cold water, and have a full bathroom.

Gary says the county was and still is a wonderful place to call home. “I knew I’d always come back,” says Gary, who left the area for nearly 40 years after graduating from Minico High School in 1960.

After working at two World’s Fairs, as a clothing model and opening a yoga and aerobics studio in southern California, he returned to the farm in 1999 to care for his dad, who died that same year.

Gary bought the family farm from his siblings, leased it, and devoted himself to compiling the history of early settlers like his family.

“All of a sudden, through their stories, these people became alive again with their dreams and frustrations,” says Gary, who traveled the Northwest,

Gary Scgorzman shows a box that has maternal great grand-mother brought from West Prussia in 1878. [Photo by Dianna Troyer]

G S h b th t h t l t d

By Bill Hall My wife and I were touring an art museum when we discovered that art

wasn’t the most remarkable aspect of the building. The most memorable part of the building was the restrooms.

We were in a Spanish museum when we both needed a bathroom and weo learn that the Spanish people have that same need from time to time. So I went to el baño por hombres and she headed for el baño por mujeres.

It was half an hour before I saw her again. Though we were in an oth-erwise modern and well-organized collection of art, it had the classic failure of public amenities for females from an earlier era – not enough stalls for

women by comparison with the ample number of porcelain facilities rou-tinely provided for men.

Oh sure, some men will insist the whole thing is the fault of women. They require a seating arrangement in every instance whereas males mostly have standing room only. And we don’t spend a lot of time fuss-ing in the mirror with our hopeless faces.

It’s as if the manage-ment chose to punish women for making the mistake of being born in a mode that requires longer restroom use. Thus, a public wash-room for men will serve far more customers in a given time than a rest-room of the same size for women.

That day in Spain, I finally found my wife still standing in a long line of women who had been supplied with only a precious few spaces.

They had hardly any facilities at all. It was almost uncanny. But that was not the most remarkable aspect of the museum’s neglect of

females. The institution in question is the Queen Sofia Museum in Madrid. It is named after the current queen of Spain. And you would think that a queen of all people would understand a shortage of thrones.

The museum is the home of what many regard as Pablo Picasso’s most dramatic painting, a huge canvass representing the bombing of the city of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. One part of the scene shows a woman, her face contorted, screaming as bombs rain down on the townspeople.

Appropriately enough, women approaching that biffy line in which my wife waited had similar expressions on their faces as they realized they were in for another unreasonable wait in a building designed by another thoughtless male architect ignorant or ignoring of female needs.

I suppose I sympathize with women in this matter because I was one of those kids who had a father who never seemed to need a bathroom while driving and consequently would rarely stop the car long enough for children with less control. The most frustrating days of my childhood involved endur-ing the sight of bathrooms flashing by as Ironbladder Hall – not feeling our pain – raced on down the road.

Architects in recent years have done better by women in providing for them in new public buildings, including sports stadiums and theaters – partly because there are far more females in the building design profession today. And any male colleague who doesn’t want his blueprints mangled wouldn’t dare deny the needs of women.

However, my wife – my queen – reminds me that airports are still among the worst offenders in allowing the female restrooms to be overwhelmed by customers. She’s right, of course. As a male, I hardly ever have to wait for a turn. But she hardly ever avoids standing in line. We don’t have enough thrones in this country either.

When we drive south a couple hundred miles to visit family, you had bet-ter believe that, at our age, we know where the rest stops are. And most are designed to serve women well. However, there is one truck stop/convenience store that we have to depend on that has a men’s room with two positions and a women’s room with one – plus of course, a line of women waiting their turn.

However, if a woman, looking panicky, complains, they point her toward two movable outhouses out back in the parking lot.

Maybe airports should try that. No waiting in line, ladies. Just use the portable units out on the tarmac.

Someday the airports will do better. Someday they will add a huge rest-room for females in the center of the complex. And when they do, they should name it after Queen Sofia.

Hall may be contacted at [email protected] or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. ISI

Why women take so long


The store, constructed in 1930, was built to last, too.“We’re still learning about it from local folks,” says Brent. Although the nearest neighbors live miles away, the Hobsons rarely

feel isolated because people drop in, often telling stories about the store.“We’ve learned how Naf was named for a local rancher Naf Anderson,

about the post office here in the store, and heard stories about the rodeos across the road and the dances afterward at the hall and bar next door,” says Brent.

Terry says, “People loved the homemade pies made by Mary Iverson, a former owner. I’d love for people to tell me their memories, so I can write them down and put them in a binder.”

Brent says, “We’d like to make copies of people’s old photos of the store to hang on the walls, too.”

Coralee Kempton, who lives in nearby Clear Creek, Utah, remembers getting her mail at the store after moving to the area in 1967. “On Saturdays, my dad took us to the dances. We always had a good time there. I’m excited for Brent and Terry. They’ve done so much work.”

Visitors often ask the Hobsons why it took so long to reopen the store.

After they bought it in 1999, they kept it open for a year. A week after buying the store, Brent was unexpectedly laid off from Parker Hannifin Corp., where he did maintenance work. Because the store wasn’t financially self-sufficient, Brent found a maintenance job at a dairy run by Kroger Inc. in Ogden.

“Then a guy I worked with told me about a well-paying job doing industrial maintenance for a contractor in Iraq, so I worked there from 2003 to 2005.”

Meanwhile, Terry worked at Hill Air Force Base as a certified medical assistant.

About the time Brent was ready to come home, “someone here told me the geothermal power plant needed workers. I applied for a maintenance job and was hired.”

During his days off from the plant, Brent worked at their Naf property.“It took me about 18 months to build our house behind the store. We

lived in a camping trailer while I did that,” he recalls. “At the store, it took me a year to put on a new roof, redo the drain field, and install new wiring and plumbing.”

While Brent was remodeling the store, the Hobsons welcomed visitors. History buffs stopped by as they searched for artifacts along the nearby California Trail or Pony Express route.

“We had university geology students who stayed in a field camp and after about three days, they wanted a hot shower, so we let them use the one in the basement,” says Terry. “Other times, we had bicyclists who needed to get out of the rain and laid out their sleeping bags on the dance hall floor.”

Last spring, Brent’s labor of love finally took a toll on his back and sidelined him.

“My left leg was going to sleep because a nerve in my back was pinched,” he recalls. “A doctor fused my L2 and L3 discs.”

Now that he has recovered, he looks for-ward to the future.

“Once we’re in the routine of running the store, we’ll focus on updating wiring in the dance hall,” says Brent. “It still has the original knob and tube wiring.”

The Hobsons have already hosted two dances and a wedding at the 5,000-square-foot hall.

The building’s construction impresses Brent. “The floor and ceiling are made with tongue-and-groove cedar milled locally. It’s solid.”

Amidst the historic structures, the Hob-sons provide modern technology. Visitors are surprised to find cell phone service and

internet access.People have told the Hobsons that they’re glad the store is open.“We’re the only game in town,” says Brent. “It’s 30 minutes to the near-

est town, Malta to the north or Snowville to the south. We never know what will happen day-to-day and are glad to be here.”

The Naf Mercantile is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday to Sunday and on Mondays during holiday weekends. To share a story, the Hobsons may be contacted at 208-824-5780. ISI

Brent Hobson and his wife, Terry, recently restored the historic Naf mercantile and Cafe, a store near the remote Idaho/Utah border. [Photos by Dianna Troyer]

Hobsons reopen historic Naf store - Continued from cover


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By Chris LontokA funeral is something no one wants to experi-

ence or even think about. The loss of a loved one is always too much to dwell on. Since the pain is most intense when that time actually comes, it is best to be prepared with funeral pre-planning. This way, the loved ones left behind will no longer have to worry over decisions or the costs of such matters as having a cremation or burial at a cemetery, choos-ing from among urns or caskets, and organizing a memorial service. With funeral pre-planning at a professional and reliable funeral home, all of these are decided and arranged in advance. Anyone can do such funeral pre-planning for himself or herself in coordination with the chosen funeral home.

The decision between cremation and burial at a cemetery is sometimes determined by religion

or culture, but is more often a personal choice. If cremation is chosen, one has to decide on either having the urn buried, kept in a columbarium niche, or on a special altar at home. Others may opt to have the ashes scattered. If burial is chosen, a cemetery has to be chosen. A cemetery plot or a mausoleum crypt has to be arranged for, as well. Whether the decision is for cremation or burial, a decision has to be reached also on whether organs and tissues are to be donated to a medical school.

Another thing to decide is whether or not to hold a funeral service at the funeral home. This could be done before the cremation or burial.

A memorial may also be held instead of a fu-neral, or even in addition to it. A memorial takes place without the remains of the deceased, usually

a few days or weeks after the burial or cremation. Like the funeral, the memorial is also held by those who hold dear the memory of the deceased, and would like to pay tribute to him or her. It is also an important step in processing grief and acceptance.

Going through funeral pre-planning helps us deal with the inevitability of dying. When we go through the decisions of either having a cremation or burial at a cemetery and, therefore, choosing from among urns or caskets, or when we make plans for a memorial, either for ourselves or a loved one, we are acknowledging the reality of that inevitable future event. Funeral pre-planning eases not only our pain about what to do and how to pay for it, but also our pain when the dreaded moment actually arrives. ISI

Funeral Pre-Planning

By Jim Miller Lost or forgotten money is actually quite com-mon in the U.S. In fact, according National As-sociation of Unclaimed Property Administrators, nearly $33 billion in unclaimed assets is sitting in state treasuries and other agencies just waiting to be found. These unclaimed assets are from some 117 million accounts that are inactive or whose owners or their heirs cannot be located. Unclaimed assets can include things like lost or forgotten investments or bank accounts, Social Security payments, util-ity deposits, tax refunds, life insurance proceeds, stocks, un-cashed dividends and more. This typically happens because of a change of address (the owner moved), a name change (the owner got married or divorced), or the owner dies and the estate was unaware of the money or the heirs could not be located. By law, companies and financial institutions that can’t find the owner or their next of kin within two to five years must turn the property over to the state where it’s held indefinitely. Where to Search – It’s very possible that your deceased parents, or you, have some unclaimed assets out there and you don’t even know it. To start

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your quest, go to missingmoney.com or unclaimed.org, both of which contain records from most state unclaimed property programs. Check every state in which you or your parents have lived, worked or conducted business. Also search using maiden names and any previous names, as well as middle names and middle ini-tials. Every state can tell you immediately if your parents or you have some unclaimed property, as well as how to go about collecting it. If you don’t have a computer, you can call the state treasurer’s office for assistance. Look Here Too – Beyond state treasuries, here are some other agencies you should check for lost loot, along with a few resources that can help you search. • IRS: Each year thousands of refund checks totaling millions of dollars are returned to the IRS by the post office. To look for lost tax refund checks

go to IRS.gov and click on “Individuals,” then on “Where’s My Refund,” or call 800-829-1954. • U.S. Treasury: To find out if there are any sav-ings bonds your parents didn’t claim dating back to 1974, go to treasurydirect.gov and click on “Check Treasury Hunt to see if you own matured savings bonds.” For older bonds or those still drawing interest, use form 1048 which you can download at www.treasurydirect.gov/forms/sav1048.pdf. • Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.: If you or your parents worked for a company that went out of business or ended its defined benefit pension plan, you may be entitled to some of their benefits. Check at pbgc.gov and click on “Missing Partici-pants Search.” • The National Registry of Unclaimed Retire-ment Benefits: To search for lost 401(k) plans, try unclaimedretirementbenefits.com where plan sponsors, administrators and custodians register

missing participants who have unclaimed retire-ment funds. • Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.: Search for unclaimed bank accounts at firms that were shut down between 1989 and 1993 go to www2.fdic.gov/funds. State treasuries hold assets from shutdowns after 1993. • Social Security: To find lost Social Security benefits, including the $255 death benefit, call 800-772-1213. • American Council of Life Insurers: If you think your parents had a life-insurance policy try missingmoney.com, or for more tips go to acli.com and click on “Missing Policy Tips.” Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit Sav-vySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. ISI

A lot has been said about politics, some of it complimentary, but most of it accurate.

- Eric IdleBy Jim Miller

If you have a simple, straightforward estate and an uncomplicated family situation, writing your own will – with the help of a good do-it-yourself guide – is a viable alternative to hiring an attorney and a whole lot cheaper. Here are some good resources to help you get started. Computer Required—There are a number of computer software products and online resources available today that can help you create your own will very easily, and they usually take less than an hour from start to finish. Like tax software, these tools will guide you through a series of questions and will insert your answers into a will for you. But, you will need a computer to use them. Some good options to check out include: Quicken WillMaker Plus 2013—This is a comprehensive estate planning software product that’s very user-friendly. It lets you create customized wills for an unlimited number of people, along with other important documents like financial powers of attorney, health care directives, executor documents, final arrangements, and more. And once you’re finished, you can store your documents on your computer and update them as needed, and you can print them out on paper. Available in downloadable or CD format at nolo.com for $43 or $52, this software works only with Windows operating systems and is valid in every state except Louisiana. Rocket Lawyer—This is an online resource – available at rocketlawyer.com – that helps you create a will, trust, power of attorney, and dozens of other legal documents in every state. They start by offering a free seven day trial period so you can actually make one document free. Or, you can become a member for $20 a month, or $120 for their annual “Basic Legal Plan,” and get unlimited access so you can make, store, share and update any documents you want. They even provide annual members free legal reviews of their document and free phone assistance with an attorney. LegalZoom—Available online at legalzoom.com, this site makes wills, trusts, powers of attor-ney, pet-protection agreements, and many other documents. After you create your will, or other documents, they double-check them for spelling and grammar mistakes (but not for legal issues) and mail you a printed copy in about a week to 10 days. Wills run $69, other documents range between $35 and $249. No Computer Necessary—If you don’t have a home computer or Internet access, a good resource to turn to is the “Quick & Legal Will Book” sold by Nolo for $21. This guide provides forms and step-by-step instructions that can help you make a basic will that meets your needs. To order a copy, call 800-728-3555. Hire a Lawyer—It’s also important to know that if you have a complicated financial situation, blended family or if you have considerable assets, you need to hire a lawyer to write your will. An experienced lawyer can make sure you cover all your bases, which can help avoid family confusion and squabbles after you’re gone. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (naela.org) and the National As-sociation of Estate Planners and Councils (naepc.org) websites are good resources that have directories to help you find some-one in your area. Costs will vary depending on your situ-ation and location, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $200 and $1,000

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to get your will made. If money is tight, check with your state’s bar association (see findlegalhelp.org) to find low-cost legal help in your area. Or call the Eldercare Locater at 800-677-1116 for a referral. Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit Sav-vySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ISI

By Teresa Ambord Taking care of our elderly parents is something that we do, just because we’re family and we love them. But an additional tax break or two wouldn’t hurt. Even if your parent does not live in the same home as you, you may be eligible for some help at tax time. If you provide your parent with regular financial support, you may be able to take a dependency exemption for him or her. In 2012, that exemption is equal to $3,800. To qualify, the following must be true: • Your parent does not file a joint tax return for the year. • He or she must have gross income less than $3,800 in 2012. This does not include the non-taxable portion of Social Security payments. • You must provide more than half of your parent’s financial support. (See sidebar for details about what is and is not support.) Important planning point! After you tally up how much you have paid versus how much your parent has paid, if you find you are borderline, it may pay for you to kick in a little extra to push yourself over the halfway point. Keep an itemized list of your support vs. your parent’s support, and attach it to your copy of tax records. For an additional exemp-tion of $3,800, it could be well worth the effort. What If Your Siblings Also Contribute? If you and your siblings share the support of a parent, you may be able to set up a “multiple support agreement,” by filing an IRS Form 2120. This means that although two or more of you contribute to the support of a parent, only one is allowed to take the dependency exemption. You may decide to alternate among the siblings so the others can take the benefit too. Just keep in mind that only siblings who pay more than 10% of the parent’s support can qualify. For the sake of family harmony, also put the agreement in writing. Do You Pay Medical Expenses for Your Parent? If you pay for at least half of your parent’s financial support, you may also be able to deduct amounts you pay for his or her unreimbursed medical expenses, by adding them to your own medical expenses. This is generally true even if your parent is not your dependent and does not live in your home. Of course, it’s seldom a slam-dunk to deduct unreimbursed medical expenses on your return, no matter whom they are for, because they have to exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. And then, only the amount that actually

surpasses this hurdle is deductible. Unreimbursed ex-penses include your share of health insur-ance premiums, co-payments for doctor visits and prescription drugs, dental and vision care costs, amounts paid before insurance deductibles are cov-ered, and medical ex-penses paid for your parent if you provide

Taking Care of Mom and Dad:A Labor of Love With Possible Tax Breaks

more than 50 percent of support. You can also include qualified long-term care insurance premi-ums subject to age-based limits: For individuals 51-60 the maximum amount paid for long-term care insurance that you can treat as a medical expense in 2012 is $1,310. For those 61-70, the maximum is $3,500. For those older than 70, the maximum is $4,370. You can also deduct part of the fees you pay for your parent to enter and reside in a retirement home that provides medical and nursing care. Often that is enough to push you over the threshold. Hired Help to Care for Your Parent If your parent cannot be left alone while you work (or go to school full-time, or search for work, or if you are disabled) and you must pay someone to stay with him or her, this cost might qualify as a medical expense. Better still; the money you pay out might get you a credit for dependent care. Be aware, this does not mean a babysitter. The per-son must provide nursing-type services, and the amounts you pay must not be reimbursed. Credits are generally more valuable than de-ductions, because they are subtracted dollar for dollar from your tax bill while deductions lower the income on which you are taxed. This credit is also possible if you are actively searching for a job, if you are a full-time student, or if you are disabled. The amount depends on your income.Filing Status Boost If you are a taxpayer who must file your tax return as “single,” your parent may make you eli-gible to file as “head of household” instead, caus-ing you to owe less taxes. In order to file as head of household you must pay more than half of the costs of maintaining a home for your parent, and your parent must be your dependent (although he or she does not have to live with you). For ex-ample, your mother who lives in a retirement home can still qualify you to file as head of household if you meet the other standards. Your tax preparer should be able to answer any questions you might have about the tax benefits available. Tax breaks or not, we take care of our own. After all, what comes around goes around, and they took care of us from day one. Tax as-sistance provides a little extra cushion so that we can take care of Mom and Pop more easily.More About Support, from the IRS Support includes the cost of items like food, medical and dental expenses, a place to live, transportation and furniture. The IRS states that your parent’s funds are not considered support unless they are actually spent for support. IRS example: Your mother received $2,400 in Social Security benefits and $300 in interest. She paid $2,000 for lodging and $400 for recreation. She put $300 in a savings account. Even though your mother received a total of $2,700 ($2,400 + $300), she spent only $2,400 ($2,000 + $400) for her own support. If you spent more than $2,400 for her support and no other support was received, you have provided more than half of her support. What does not count as support? • Federal, state, and local income taxes paid by persons from their own income. • Social Security and Medicare taxes paid by persons from their own income. • Life insurance premiums. • Funeral expenses.Teresa Ambord is a former accountant and En-rolled Agent with the IRS. Now she writes full time from her home, mostly for business, and about family when the inspiration strikes. ISI


By Bill HallI feel like a voracious eater who is finally full

up to here. Like an alcoholic who suddenly believes there

is too much booze in our lives.Like a wealthy man who is sick of pocketing

more money. Like a frisky person who is exhausted from

so many women throwing themselves at him. I feel like what I am – a political junky who

finally feels overdosed on his drug of choice – politics. Though I have loved politics throughout my sordid life, I reached the end of America’s longest election this fall crying softly, longing for sanity, and pathetically repeating, “Enough! Enough! Enough!”

I also like football but I wouldn’t want to watch a nine-hour game.

I write these sadder-but-wiser words two days before the election, not knowing whether my hero or yours has won. I mention that in case my hero lost and you think I am just another sour loser unhappy because the election didn’t go his way.

What I want is shorter presidential campaigns – much shorter campaigns. To that end, the first thing we should do is to inform Iowa and New Hampshire that we are asking – no not asking, demanding – that they leave our country. Their self-indulgent exaggeration of their importance is the prime cause of endless elections and we want them out of here.

And I don’t mean I want them to move to Canada just because that’s nearby. What have the Canadians ever done to us? They are the

best neighbors in the history of the world and they should not have to take in our sick mistakes.

Instead, we should ship Iowa and New Hamp-shire to Vladimir Putin’s Russia where it is normal for a small, willful faction of the nation to decide everything for the rest of the population.

Iowa and its first caucus in the land, plus New Hampshire and its first primary election, have ap-pointed themselves the most important voters of all, gradually moving their say in the matter earlier and earlier. That moves the start of the presiden-tial election process earlier and earlier, thereby lengthening the agony of democracy gone wild.

Wikipedia, the blessed source of all knowl-edge in the universe, notes, “Since 1977, New Hampshire has fought hard to keep its timing as the first primary. State law requires that its primary must be the first in the nation,”

State law? Do you believe that? One pomp-ous little state informs the nation as a whole that its people alone shall be the deciders of when our national election begins.

And then, that state constantly moves the pri-mary earlier and earlier to exercise its imaginary divine right to be first. Iowa, running a truncated primary gets away with preceding New Hamp-shire’s voting by keeping its decision small, inept and calling it a caucus rather than a primary.

Between the two of them, they and they alone do the original sorting of presidential candidates for the rest of the nation, eliminating several contenders in both parties before the people in the other 48 states get a vote.

It’s a selfish practice on at least two counts: First, they decide much of the outcome long

before most of us get to take part. Second, they keep moving their voting to ear-

lier dates, which drags out the election to longer and more ludicrous lengths.

This year, New Hampshire had the charac-teristic gall to start the presidential voting on Jan. 10, giving us the terrible gift of an election that begins officially, and at full throttle, 10 months before the finish line. And of course that gets the frantic candidates started a year and a half or more before the final tally in November of an election year.

Compare that with Canadian federal elections that usually run a little over a month. There is a reason for that: Canadians are sane!

Haven’t we finally had enough? There is a remedy, in addition to shipping

New Hampshire and Iowa to Putin’s Russia. The Constitution should be amended to require that no caucus or primary can begin any sooner than May 1 of the election year.

But what, you ask, about states’ rights?No state has the right to decide unilaterally

for the all the other states which presidential candidates should be sorted out early and which should be sent to the finals. Only someone like Putin would agree to something as democrati-cally degrading as that.

Hall may be contacted at wilberth @ cable-one.net or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. ISI

New Hampshire Deserves Putin


Article & Photo By Jack McNeel Laurel Macdonald is an artist and former art teacher, and when she talks about linocuts, her enthusiasm explodes. “I love the stark black and white of the linocut,” she says. “I love that linocuts can be replicated. It doesn’t take much learning. It’s easy and it’s fun. You can do all this on your kitchen table!” Her enthusiasm is infectious. Many of us don’t know what a linocut is, and that is okay. Linocuts are very similar to woodcuts. It is a printing method using a sheet of linoleum. Subtractive cutting takes away the parts of linoleum where you want to leave the white of the page, and leaves the parts you want to be inked! The result is a linocut that can reproduce the same image repeatedly. First, you need a piece of linoleum, which she recommends over birch plywood. “Linoleum is so inexpensive, easy to work with, has no grain, and you get such wonderful end products that I see no reason why anybody would go into wood cutting,” she says. “You just draw on the linoleum and then cover the drawing with a black marker. Then cut out everywhere that you didn’t mark. You don’t have to do a lot of thinking.” It is then a matter of inking the linoleum, putting the art paper on it, and then rubbing the back of the paper to transfer the ink to the paper. “You get an easy transfer,” she says. “You can do all this at your kitchen table.” Laurel was raised on a farm near the south-western Idaho town of Wilder, but farming was not in her future. “I lived there until I was 18 and could leave. The farm has a great way of making people want to go to school,” she says with a laugh. College took her to the University of Idaho, then Idaho State, and eventu-ally the University of Nevada at Las Vegas where she got several degrees. “None were very marketable,” she explains. So between future classes at the University of Idaho and Boise State she accumulated a teaching cer-tificate and a Masters in Art. “Then I could teach art and wouldn’t have to grade papers for ever and a day.” Teaching took her to Weiser High School and then to Las Vegas where the pay was better. “That was the boom time. Still the classes were horren-dous, 45-50 students to a class. But it was really fun and a great job.”

When her youngest son graduated from high school, it created an op-portunity to try something new so she left for China to teach English. “The pollution was so horrible. My allergies morphed into asthma. I had a terrible time.” When she got so very sick in China, Laurel’s former husband, Jim, was in Perth, Australia. He told her if she would come to Perth, he would take care of her. She hardly remembers the flight other than being stuck in Singapore

for a long while and finally arriving in Perth. “I weighed about 20 pounds less than I am now,” she relates (she is slender). She recovered, although she still has asthma... and she still has Jim. They’ve been together ever since and remar-ried this past September 14. Laurel and Jim moved to Moscow in 2005, and she became president of the Palouse Women Artists. “I kind of run this art group, do a lot of art, and don’t have to teach right now. It’s great,” she exclaims. Her subjects are typically plants, flowers, and people. She says she loves gardening to this day and has a large garden to prove it. “I grew lots of crookneck squash, pumpkin, gourds, and beets, but my flowers were just wonderful also. I could see iris, lilies, hollyhocks, marigold, zinnias, asters, and giant sunflowers from my kitchen window.” Many of those flowers and plants will end up as the subjects of her art. Laurel and Jim visited Spain last year and she tells of the people. “I drew two elderly women at the beach. It’s one of my favorite linocuts. Their hair was dyed. They were accessorized. They wore jewelry and hats. They were wonderful. I love the narrative implicit in this image. I love to

look at faces like the Portuguese woman who is crocheting, and I love the stark black and white of the linocut. It forces me to simplify, to select what is important in a face to tell the story. And I love that linocuts can be replicated.” Laurel also thinks this is a medium that middle aged or older people will enjoy doing. “I recommend it for people to try, especially if they have some spare time and have wanted to do something like this but never had the time or opportunity to work with these things. For a lot of people who have arthritis in their hands, linoleum would be a great avenue.” She recommends going to the local flooring store where linoleum can be

Laurel Macdonald – Art from linoleum cutting


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purchased very cheaply and much less than what most art stores charge. “It’s just regular bathroom linoleum, but not vinyl,” she explains. “On the bot-tom it has hemp and that is what people should look for.” Laurel sometimes will paint on the prints, add-ing color to an otherwise black and white print. “If I do water color on top it’s an original, one of a kind.” She says that people buy a lot of those as opposed to just black and white. Most of the work

she sells is in an 18 x 24 inch size that buyers seem to prefer to smaller and less expensive prints. Laurel has prints on display at the Lewiston Center for Art and History and the Bank Left Gal-lery in Palouse. Other locations include the Grit-man Hospital and the Hospital’s Wellness Center in Moscow and The Black Cypress Restaurant in Pullman. The Palouse Women Artists group is exhibiting Postures of Power at the Gritman Gallery. She says

the membership fluctuates, due largely to living in a college town, but they hold six to seven exhibits a year. The group’s annual community project for 2011 was two murals created at the Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute in Moscow. Feeling Laurel’s enthusiasm as she describes creating linocuts may bring out the artist in many of us. “It’s easy. It’s real earthy and your whole body is working. It’s a wonderful activity.” ISI

By Jack McNeel Lewiston’s Art Seamans did not start his career in the U.S. Forest Service thinking that he would be teaching or become an expert on the natural history of the Snake River and Hells Canyon. Art grew up in New Hamp-shire, gradu-ated from the University of N e w H a m p -shi re wi th a degree in for-estry, and then earned mas-ter’s degrees in forest man-agement and silviculture from Yale University. A r t ’ s USFS career stretched from 1959 until retirement in 1992. During that time, he worked in various Idaho ranger districts including Slate Creek, Moose Creek, Palouse, and Calder. Starting in 1980, he began working in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area and acquiring much of the knowledge he now shares with young-sters. He laughs as he tells of attending a meeting around 1973 related to developing a management plan for floating the Snake River in Hells Canyon. They asked for volunteers but nobody volunteered. “So I put my hand in the air and ended up writ-ing the first management plan for boating in Hells Canyon. I managed the river,” Art relates. His plan was well liked so he was asked to write the first management plan for the upper main Salmon River. When he went to Moose Creek as District Ranger, he managed the Selway River adding to his river management experience. Art pushed for guides and outfitters along the Snake River to emphasize interpretation of Hells Canyon resources. The USFS sponsored confer-ences and brought in experts to educate guides and outfitters, which Art continued after retirement. “I really wanted to see if I could put that into practice.” Art got a coast guard license and began guid-ing tourists into the canyon. “I did that for about three years,” he says. “Even when I do a fishing trip (as a guide) I try to emphasize interpretation. I stay up to date on new developments in geology, history, archaeology, and dealing with canyon resources.” A dozen or so years ago, the Lewiston school district incorporated a boat trip into Hells Canyon as part of its 4th grade Idaho history curriculum. “I ended up driving on that first trip,” Art ex-plains. “Different people were hired to do inter-pretation of the history and archaeology, but there was empty time so I filled it in as I was driving. The

next year the teacher decided she did not need to hire anyone else and that I could do it. “The way it finally evolved is that now I teach those classes, and I don’t drive the boat as a rule. I like to engage the kids and that means I need to

be standing and asking them questions as we go.” The students raise money for the trip so the only cost to the school district is the pay of the teacher. Each student receives a 70-page workbook t o u s e a n d keep, many 4th grade classes are involved, and it is an im-pressive one-day trip up the

canyon. They generally ride in the Jodie Pearl. She is 42 feet long with a 13-foot bream, powered by three diesel engines, and owned by Snake River Adventures. “The owner runs these trips pretty much at cost,” Art says, “because he

feels strongly about getting the children up into the canyon. For many of them it will be their only experience like that. It is a big, safe boat. We’ve never had a child injured on any of our trips.” “We start our narrative when we leave the marina and continue until we get to Kirkwood His-toric Ranch, about 76 miles upriver. We make one stop at Cottonwood Creek where we hike up the hillside and see a Chinese dugout and an Indian rock shelter. We also see some Indian pit house depressions,” Art explains. “On the way up it’s pretty intense. We work

On trip back downstream the students take turns on back of boat [Photos provided by Art Seamans]

Art Seamans makes a day of adventurein Hells Canyon for Lewiston students


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the kids hard,” he says. “They’re working in their workbooks. We cover history, archeology, geol-ogy, flora, and fauna. Plus they keep a diary of all the animals, plants, rocks, and minerals they see along the way. We never know what we’re going to see in the way of wildlife. We nearly always see bighorn sheep and deer, lots of Canada geese, and great blue herons. We also see such things as bobcats, mountain lions, black bear, elk, coyotes, otters – quite a variety. Every trip is different. “On the way downriver we rotate the kids into the back of the boat. They want to get wet back there. We put them in life jackets with an adult in

each corner and rotate them so they all have a chance.” On the return, they stop at Mountain Chief mine and learn about historic copper mining. Another stop is at Buffalo Eddy. “The landowner, Valerie Earl, usually joins us and the kids get to talk to her about what it’s like ranching in the canyon. They also get to see some of the finest rock art in the Columbia Basin,” Art adds. “It’s primarily petroglyphs but there are pictographs there as well.” Last year from late April until early June, Art took fifteen Lewiston classes into Hells Canyon.

Often a class from Lapwai and another from the Catholic school in Lewiston also take part. Art knows that students treasure the workbooks and their day in the canyon, because many have studied their older siblings’ workbooks and are familiar with the material but Art is staying ahead of them. “I’ve rewritten most of the workbook in the last two years,” Art relates. “I brought it up to date with new reference material and a good list of references in the back.” And Lewiston students clearly benefit from Art’s knowledge and dedication to education. ISI

By Jack McNeelPhotos provided by Lewis-Clark

State College Athletic Department Brian Orr’s status as an outstanding college women’s basketball coach is reflected in his 287-81 record going into the 2012-13 season. Unlike many coaches who immediately step into college coaching when their playing careers end, Brian has worked his way through the system from the lowest level of high school ball to coaching at Lewis-Clark State College – and he probably would not have it any other way. At every stage, he has gained the knowledge of coaching, recruiting, and young athletes that has been the key to his 78% winning percentage at LCSC, outstanding at any level. Brian was raised in Livingston, Montana and

after high school went to Wenatchee Valley Col-lege to play ball. From there it was on to Eastern Montana (now Montana State University Billings), Arizona State, and then back to Eastern Montana where he received his degree. During his senior year of college, he tried his hand at coaching. “I did a JV gig at a school close to Billings, Montana,” he says. Brian spent his formative years as a coach at various Montana high schools starting as head coach at Joplin- Inverness High where he stayed for four years. “The community is about thirty miles from Canada, pretty much out in the middle of nowhere,” he says with a chuckle. “I started as head boy’s basketball coach and the next couple of years was head boys coach, head girls coach, athletic direc-tor, head boys and girls track coach, and I drove the bus. It was that kind of school.” He then went to Simms High School. “Girls’ basketball in Montana was offered in the fall so I did both, boys and girls. They ran consecutively. It was really a great job and I had a great time. I felt like I had a lot of experience because most people were head coach for a season while I was head coach every year for two teams. I was getting a lot of experience in a short time.” Brian remained at Simms for five years before heading off to Lewistown, Montana as the boys coach for another five-year stint. During these years, Brian taught as well as coached. “I didn’t want to be the coach that was a teacher. I really wanted to do the best I could so I worked really hard at it. At Lewistown, they hon-ored me as Teacher of the Year and at Simms, I was named Outstanding Educator of the Year. “Coaching has always been my passion but I always believed part of my success as a coach has been because of my ability to teach, whatever it is. I look back on it (teaching) with a lot of endearing moments. I kind of miss it.” During these early years he was coaching both boys and girls basketball, but how did he end up becoming a women’s coach in college, rather than a men’s coach? “I love coaching. I thought I was a better boys coach. I thought I related to them better, could talk to them better in so many different ways. But I won a state championship as a girls coach. The percep-

tion was I was a better girls coach although I didn’t feel that.” Brian decided to try for a college men’s coaching position, some-thing he had always wanted. He and his wife of 30 plus years, the former Bonnie Olson, had talked about moving up to college and finally made the decision to give it a shot. “I called the high school principal that night, and it was scary,” Brian remembers. “We didn’t have jobs and didn’t have any oppor-tunities, but I felt really good.”

The opportunity came at M.S.U. Billings where a good friend, Frank McCarthy (now at Sheridan Community College) was the coach. “But my opportunity came to coach women – I jumped on it,” Brian relates. “I owe him. I learned a lot from him and he gave me a chance.” Brian remained at Billings for three years as an assistant. “Then I got a job as head coach at University of Great Falls. That was kind of the turning point for my college career,” he adds. “The program had been dormant for 15 years. I had a lot of coach-ing experience but didn’t have a lot of recruiting experience. I spent a whole season just recruiting, all over the northwest. I went to tons of practices; high school and junior college, and tons of games. It was a great experience for me, not only was I recruiting and learning all the ins and outs of that, but also had an opportunity to watch so many good coaches work.” But instead of staying and coaching the team he had recruited, an opportunity came along to go to Montana State as their top assistant. “It was 30 minutes from my home town and my wife’s home town. If I hadn’t taken that Montana State job I’d have been in trouble there. I was only there one year, and the head guy got fired and I was looking for a job.” And so the road finally leads to Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston. “It was reopened right when I was looking for a job,” Brian relates. After twelve years here and an outstanding record, it looks like the road has ended in Lewiston too. “We have no plans to leave here,” Brian says. “Many of my close friends in this profession are at the Division 1 level. They make a lot more money than I do but they always say the best times of their coaching careers were in schools about our size. ”This is a different place due to the people here. There’s just tremendous support. For what-ever reason, this valley just loves LCSC women’s basketball teams. We’ve been successful here in part because of that support and we’ve been able to bring in really good kids of high character. It’s all about them. Every coach knows you cannot win games without good players. I do not know if there is a much better place. I just feel blessed.” ISI

Long road to a highly successful college coaching career – Brian Orr


By Jack McNeel Toni Saleen was a 4th-grade schoolteacher in Lewiston until she retired in 2009, a change precipitated by the opportunity to travel the world with her husband Tom. “His business takes him to many different countries,” Toni says, “fab-ulous places where I always said I’d love to go and experience different cultures and be part of different as-pects of our world. Tom kept saying, ‘Retire and you can travel with me.’ But I loved my job.” Eventually it was travel over teaching and Toni retired. Toni grew up in McCall and then moved to Lewiston when she mar-ried Tom. She received her teaching degree from Lewis and Clark State College and then taught for 21 years, first teaching 4th grade and then working with gifted children to create programs where students would say, ‘Learning is really cool.” One of her projects was a sec-tion on Hells Canyon, and Toni’s first trip into the canyon was on a field trip with a group of her gifted children. Tom was initially employed as a police officer in Lewiston but was injured in a bombing incident. His international travels began when he became Vice President of International Sales for ATK in Lewiston, formerly CCI, a company that produces and sells bullets internationally. “Tom’s travelling was so intriguing to me that I retired, but not because I didn’t enjoy what I was doing,” Toni says. “As I’ve grown older I see life almost like a football game. I kind of feel I’m in that last quarter of that football game. I had my house and had my opportunity so I really needed to do this.” If you were to stretch a string out on a map from Lewiston to every place she’s visited since the spring of 2009 it would be a maze of lines across the globe. Countries like New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Russia, France, Greece, Jerusalem, Jordan, Italy… and the list goes on. One trip that stands out in her mind was a trip to New Zealand where they visited the two islands. Tom will sometimes combine his busi-ness ventures with visits to other places of inter-est, which can include a big game hunt where feasible.

“On the North Island we did a fallow deer hunt and I got one,” Toni says. They also hunted thar on the South Island. “The Southern Alps run through there. It’s just an incredible country,” she relates. “Thar live in the

high mountain areas. We did a helicopter hunt. I have issues with motion sickness but Tom said, ‘You can do it.’ I had a patch on and drank a tea they said was good for motion sickness. We’re swishing around, looking for these thar – beautiful animals that when the wind blows their hair, it’s incredible how it billows out!” she exclaims. “Then the final opportunity; a thar was coming around a mountain top and the pilot landed with one ski on this ledge. The guide got out, took the gun, and told me to follow. I’m worried about getting out while this helicopter is hovering with one ski on this ledge. But long story short, I got out, the animal came around, and I had an op-portunity to shoot a magnificent thar.” Certainly not all trips involve hunting but Toni tells of one trip to South Africa that included a safari for plains game animals. She was able to get a blesbuck, a gemsbuck, and a kudu on that

trip. “Africa is very intriguing to me,” she explains. So intriguing that they returned because, “Victoria Falls was on my, so to speak, bucket list,” she says laughing. They have visited Chobe National Park twice

now and seen elephants, Cape buf-falo, and virtually every animal that lives in that area. “I’ve gone to Italy several times with Tom, once for three weeks. We spent a week in Venice, and then took the train to the Tuscany area where we rented a villa. We did day trips to Florence and Pisa and then spent the last week in Rome. It was another of those fantastic opportuni-ties to see the country and culture, be able to live and eat, and drink their wine. Oh my goodness! It was incredible!” Tom and Toni have also visited Paris several times. “There are always new things at the Louvre and to see Notre Dame again is magnificent,” she exclaims. One year they rented a car and drove to Normandy. “Tom’s father was shot in the invasion, part of D-Day. It was very meaningful to drive up the coastal area and go to the U.S. cemetery,” Toni adds.

One place she describes as “an opportunity of a lifetime,” was Israel. Last spring Tom went to Greece so Toni went along and they visited The Acropolis, a place Toni has always wanted to visit and another location, “on my bucket list,” They also visited the Winter Olympics in Can-ada. Tom’s employer, ATK, supplied the bullets that were used during the biathlon competition. “We spent quite a bit of time watching the biathlon and thoroughly enjoyed that,” she says. Toni is very appreciative of the opportunity to visit so many places in the world. “None of this would be possible if it weren’t for Tom’s having the job he has,” she explains. “We pay my expenses, and none of that is on the company. It’s a good opportunity to travel and see those places. It’s been an incredible adventure and I feel very blessed,” Toni concludes. ISI

Toni with Gemsbuck in South Africa [Photos provided by the Saleens]

Toni Saleen - Checking off the “Bucket List”


By Jack McNeel Can you imagine hundreds of hot air balloons rising into the sky within minutes of each other? It is possible if you visit Albuquerque’s Balloon Fiesta in early October where since 1972 they have hosted the largest balloon rally in the world each year and have been doing this since 1972. It is not just the number of balloons that impress visitors, but the incredible colors, designs, and shapes. Yes, the traditional hot air balloon is essentially teardrop in shape but there is a whole other group of special shape balloons that reflect and ingenious variety. You might see a balloon shaped like a comic book character such as Woody Woodpecker, Dumbo the Elephant, Felix the Cat, Dino the Dinosaur, or Tweety Bird. Or, it might be an animal. One balloon was huge and shaped like a cow.

There were balloons with a monkey face or zebra head. Another was Noah’s Ark and it contained a whole collection of animals peering over the rim. An-other massive balloon was shaped like a Wells Fargo stagecoach and an equally large balloon was a stork carrying a baby wrapped in a blanket in its beak. Even Elvis Presley was present this year for the first time. The idea of this fiesta began back in 1971 when the largest balloon rally in the world was in England and had just 14 balloons. Albuquerque decided it could do better but bad weather caused some cancellations and only 13 balloon pilots showed up. From that point, it was nothing but up until 2001 when they hit a record high of 1,019 balloons. But that much was just too much even for Albuquerque. The town was expanding and space was get-ting more limited for landing the balloons once they lifted off so a limit was

By Mark Pilarski Dear Mark: Let us say you get on a once in a lifetime winning streak. Will the casino allow you to start betting more than the highest table maximum in the casino? John T. Most, Joe, probably will not, principally be-cause two possible scenarios threaten the casino. The bloke that comes in and starts doubling his initial $25 wager, wins 15 hands in a row, and walks out a slum dog millionaire, or a player who has too much capital. The latter happened in Las Vegas when the late Australian billionaire, Kerry Packer, beat the MGM out of $26 million, most of it while playing blackjack. The casino finally barred him, not because he was a card counter, but because he was more capitalized than the casino. A lucky streak by some Joe Schmoe or a player with more financial resources than the house can put the casino in jeopardy of a serious whupping. Ah, but there are exceptions to the rule, one of which I just so happened to read about last week.

A gentleman from Hawaii had this dream of home ownership, and he figured the quickest way to raise the needed capital was one spin at the roulette wheel in Las Vegas. He shopped around by calling eight different casinos trying to place the bet, finding that they all said $20,000 was the maximum on a single wager, except one. Binion’s said, bring it on, so with $66,200 riding on “even,” ta-da, winner EIGHT! Terry Caudill, owner of Binion’s and the Four Queens Hotel & Casino, later stated, “We are in the gambling business; this is what we do. I consider these kinds of requests on a case-by-case basis.” Good for Caudill, great for the player, but let me be very clear – Yours Truly is not advocating this money management technique. One more thing before I close this out, I men-tioned someone who could double up an initial winning wager then streak their way to owning the casino, but far too many players also believe this system, the Martingale system, is foolproof

when losing because you have to win eventually. The three problems with this money management system are: 1) you do not have an inexhaustible bankroll; 2) the casino owns the bank and sets the rules – like the table limit; and 3) your hourly wage if you win could be something like $0.01. Allow me to show you the fatal flaw with this form of wagering. You bet $25 and lose, then $50 to recoup that loss. Then $100, $200, $400, $800, $1,600, $3,200, and finally $6,400. You have just invested an extra $12,700 just to get your $25 back. As for those table limits, on a $25 game, a string of 10 loses in a row, and your next bet would butt up against a 10K table limit, but you have already been wiped out in less than three minutes, so we might as well focus on the positive. Some pit boss will probably let you squeeze a $3.99 steak and eggs breakfast out of him. Gambling Wisdom of the Day: “A gambler is nothing but a man who makes his living out of hope.” – William Bolitho ISI

The Fun Way to Pitch Good Money after Bad

Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque is world’s largest


This special shapes balloon is easily identified as a photographer. [Photo by Jack McNeel[

imposed of 750 balloons. City expansion continued and in 2009 the limit was reduced to the current 600. This past October there were 553 pilots and about 600 balloons dur-ing the October 6-14 event that drew upwards of 800,000 visitors. It’s big! Myia (Hackett) Danley is one of the pilots. She flies by the name Miss Myia and was born in Coeur d’Alene and raised in Spokane although she now lives in Colorado. It’s her 11th year in ballooning and third year as a pilot. That first flight was at Deer Park, Washington, just outside of Spokane and she later flew in various small events in eastern Washington. This was her first time to fly at Albu-querque and she was excited for the opportunity. “It’s all about people and sharing balloons,” she says.

In Old Town Albuquerque, signs welcome balloonists and toy balloons are for sale or for decoration. Publicity is extensive and there is no doubt that the Balloon Fiesta is in town. The balloon grounds a few miles north of town feature a massive concession area where you can purchase many types of food, a vast selection of souvenirs, clothing, and jewelry. Each morning, long before sunrise, a dawn patrol show is held. When the gas flames that in-flate the balloons are lit, the balloons take on the appearance of massive light bulbs. Light bulbs of every color light up the night. As the balloons rise and the gas flame is increased, the lights come back on, only to go black when the gas is turned off. It’s impressive! Several evenings, as the sun sets and the skies go dark, a similar show takes place with balloons going from lighted, spectacular displays, to near total darkness, on and off like flipping a light switch. On other evenings the special shapes balloons hold center court. Some are huge and some are a more normal size, but all are unique. There’s an insect of some sort, an ice cream cone, the head of an elephant with a long trunk, clowns, even a balloon shaped like a shopping bag and others that defy description. But it’s fun and the crowds are enthusiastic. Spectators can take seats on benches along the side of the launching field, watch as they walk among the concession-aires, and even wander among the balloons, talking with pilots and crews. If you have a camera, you can shoot to your heart’s content as balloons lying flat on the ground fill up into massive balloons and then rise high into the air.

Watching the early morning, pre-dawn activi-ties means getting up very early. Parking areas are sufficient for the crowds and police and volunteers guide viewers but the sheer volume of cars can slow traffic. There is bus service from some hotels making it easier to get to the site. Fireworks dis-plays (AfterGlow Fireworks Show) are part of the day’s event at the conclusion of events on most evenings. Keep the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in mind for 2013 or put it on your bucket list. It is a show unlike any other in the world and only when you are present can you get the full impact of 600 balloons, the pageantry, and the color. It is special! ISI

There are two things to aim at

in life: fi rst to get what you want

and, after that, to enjoy it. Only

the wisest of mankind achieve

the second.

- Logan Pearsall Smith


By Bill HallMadge is a back-seat driver who rides up front and she does not give a

hoot in hades whether I am one of those male drivers who will not ask for directions. She’ll tell me where to go whether I like it or not.

Madge is the voice on our GPS, our electronic navigation device. GPS stands for global positioning system. It’s one of those little electronic screens that show you the way to go home, or to find your motel on vacation or, best of all, to locate your Aunt Mildred’s house on a cul-de-sac deep inside some confusing housing development where the homes are all identical.

A GPS uses satellites to locate where you are in the world within a few feet. It not only shows you on the screen which routes to follow and which turns to take, but it has a voice – in this case, Madge. She tells you useful things like “Turn right onto Fifth Street in two miles.” And as you get within half a block of that turn, the GPS sounds a “bong!” while showing a picture of the turn on the little screen with an arrow pointing to the right.

But that isn’t all it does, not by a long sight. It has a personality. These gadgets come with different voices that almost make them a member of the family – and in the case of Madge, a bossy member of the family.

We have named our robot navigator Madge for Magellan, one of many marvelous brands of GPS. But Madge is not as warm, fuzzy, or sexy as I am told some of the other GPS voices are. Some are so friendly that the human drivers behind the wheel almost fall in love with them.

Not in our case. Madge is blunt, firm, and borderline angry if you mis-understand her and make the wrong turn. “Take a legal U turn as soon as you can!” she commands repeatedly with the slight smell of panic in her disapproving voice.

I have never seen her, of course, but a person gets an impression of what she looks like. My guess is that she is in her late 50s, she’s single, and she’s glad of it. She drinks scotch on the rocks and smokes two packs a day. She is secure inside her own skin. She is competent, she knows it, and she

won’t take any guff off man or beast.However, she does freak out on occasion. We were recently trying to

navigate Portland’s diabolical network of wantonly arranged freeways. Some of the sudden exits peel off to the left, rather than the more conventional exit to the right. We missed one of those and Madge began snapping rapid-fire orders, growling at us in her smoker’s contralto, letting us know she is not pleased.

However, she does give small-town drivers like me precise instructions on how to quickly get back on the freeway and take the exact turn. She can correct your course faster than you ever could on your own. Deep down, you know she cares about your well-being, but her tone is that of a bossy older sister who believes in tough love.

Oh, she does make the rare mistake. Driving a state highway in the middle of Idaho the other day, she told us to leave the road we were on and take the next right, which was a rough country road into the wilds of an Idaho forest. We ignored her and she had the decency to say nothing.

I wish my father could have lived to meet Madge. He also had a gift for driving straight to almost any location in the sprawling streets and roads of Boise Valley. He was employed late in his working years delivering groceries to housebound customers.

He had a sense of direction that a Canada goose would envy. Like Madge, he could be blunt if he was a passenger in a car that I was driving. He would salt his curt instructions with a few profane and therefore effective words. Listening to Madge, I get the strong impression she would do the same if her prissy job description allowed.

But I wouldn’t mind. In this mealy-mouthed era of bootlicking politicians, I miss bluntly honest people like Harry Truman and my father. And for all her gruffness, I’m proud to have dear old bossy Madge riding shotgun at my side.

Hall may be contacted at [email protected] or at 1012 Prospect Ave., Lewiston, ID 83501. ISI

Are You A Capable GPS Navigator?

By Sally Ann Connolly As I finished spreading the remnants of three yards of mulch on a glori-ous May Day, I thought, “I’d really rather be dancing.” “Be patient,” I replied inwardly. “The next Zumba session starts on Tues-day.” And what fun we have in that Zumba Gold class. Twice a week, ap-proximately 40 women and 3 men twist and turn to the music with so much enthusiasm that we give little thought to the increased flexibility, strength, and muscle endurance we are building. Not to mention the increased bone mass, improved cardiovascular health, and sense of well-being. In fact, 3-1/2 years after my breast cancer diagnosis, two surgeries, and course of radiation, I have never felt better. With no restrictions on my physi-cal activity, I have energy to spare. My blood pressure is under control. My weight is normal for my age. And with steady balance, I put my shoes on while standing (albeit with the support of a bureau or wall). Best of all, after an absence of more than 60 years, I have brought back the joy of movement through dance. Zumba, I have found, is a most enjoyable way to exercise. Others have discovered its appeal as well. USA Today reports that Zumba has become one of the top 10 fitness activities. More than 12 mil-lion people in 125 countries are breaking a sweat to the merengue, salsa, flamenco, tango, and cumbia. My classes on Tuesday and Thursday also include some cha-cha, with the twist and a little belly dancing thrown in for spice. The slightly different dancing styles of our two instructors keep us on our toes. Because Zumba, like all dance, combines art with athleticism, I consider Zumba dancing a sport. As in any sport, proper equipment helps prevent injury, so I have carefully selected my footwear. My choice: aerobic dance sneakers that provide support, stability, cushioning, and traction. Dancing next to me in class is an 83-year-old lady. She is an inspiration to us all. Promptly at the end of class, she rushes off with her friend to drive to a community 16 miles away where she attends a line dancing class. Researchers are finding that in addition to physical benefits, staying ac-tive can promote cognitive health. Writing in Nature Reviews Neuroscience (2008), Hillman, Erickson, and Kramer say, “An emerging body of multidisci-plinary literature has documented the beneficial influence of physical activity engendered through aerobic exercise on selective aspects of brain function. Human and non-human animal studies have shown that aerobic exercise can improve a number of aspects of cognition and performance.”

Let’s Dance for Fitness and Fun


Cotman and Berchtold say in Trends in Neuro-sciences (2002), “Exercise could provide a simple means to maintain brain function and promote brain plasticity.” Research, in fact, shows that exercise can help prevent dementia. In 2003, a study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at the leisure-time and physical activities of 469 subjects older than 75 who were living in a com-munity. Researchers found that reading, playing board games, and playing musical instruments helped reduce dementia and that of all the physical activities studied, the one most clearly associated with reduced dementia was dancing.

The four UK Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have set forth physical activity guidelines for dif-ferent age groups. For those 65 and over, they recommend 2-1/2 hours of moderate to vigorous exercise each week, with some kind of physical activity each day. My Zumba sessions last 45 min-utes. On non-class days, I try to meet the guide-lines by getting in 30 minutes of brisk walking or dancing to my own mix tape. My favorite upbeat tunes, I find, keep me moving with a smile on my face. Smiles, and a little surprise, might be what we see on the faces of spectators at our community’s July Fourth celebration. My Zumba class is plan-

ning a flash mob performance in the town square. Stay tuned. With the benefit of only common sense and a lifetime of observation, my father used to say, “If you rest, you rust.” I am delighted that my children are encouraging their own youngsters to get ac-tive, with t-ball, softball, soccer, karate, hip-hop, and competitive dance. Good habits start young, but we can all be taught new tricks. So, for physi-cal and cognitive health and for fun, I say, “Let’s dance.” Sally Ann Connolly, a retired school counselor and author of three books, puts a spotlight on health, education, and lifestyle issues. Her website is www.neverbetter.net. ISI

Article & Photo By Bernice Karnop “This hobby can drive you buggy!” That is what Don Remington liked to say. He was the restorer of horse-drawn carriages on whose personal collection the Remington Car-riage Museum in Cardston, Alberta, is based. We do not want to drive anyone buggy, but we would like to put a bee in your bon-net about this outstanding Provincial Museum just 25 miles from Glacier National Park in Montana. A lovely tree-lined drive from the main street of Cardston draws you into the Carriage Age, ending in a drop-off circle in front of a huge building, coach house, and barn that hold the largest collection of horse-drawn conveyances in North America. But it is more than a collection. The well-interpreted history explained here provides a peek into the everyday life of families before the age of the horseless carriage, before the automobile. The original builders of these conveyances inspire Jeremy Masterson who works in the res-toration shop at the museum. He feels a deep respect, bordering on awe, at their skill as he works to reproduce what woodworkers and blacksmiths did 100-200 years ago. “We build some really nice stuff today that is advanced compared to the horse drawn vehicles, but we shouldn’t underestimate or undervalue the skills and craftsmanship of these gentlemen,” he says. Jeremy spent about 40 years of his life woodworking and restoring things, but confesses, “I have an awful lot to learn yet,” Jeremy points out a maroon and black landau coach in the shop that was built in London, England at least 130 years ago. The metalwork in the hub was done by a skilled blacksmith using his forge and hammer in a matter of hours or several days. It would be nearly impossible to reproduce his work today. Using modern methods and tools, it takes weeks worth of effort and a great deal of money to come close. The restoration shop is one area of the mu-seum that’s always open 362 days a year. The restoration staff is there Monday through Friday. They love to tell visitors about the formation of tires, the internal workings of hubs, the woodwork, and all the other techniques involved with making the vehicles. Many people find that stopping here is a highlight of their visit. The shop does little with the museum’s collec-tion, but they have a backlog of work to do for in-dividuals, other museums, and private companies. They use original material, original techniques, and original parts, to create a usable vehicle that is nearly identical to what the original craftsman intended. The learning curve requires constant reading, practice, and mutual sharing of information. The

restorers here have the advantage of the collection itself for reference. They can access the expertise of the curator and manager, and they enjoy a well-equipped shop. Restorers also thank the Amish community.

Because they still use horse-drawn vehicles, there are businesses that still make and stock repair parts. “It would be more difficult and much more expensive without them,” Jeremy admits. One ex-ample is the extruded rubber for tires. It comes with holes for the wires that run through it by which they are attached to the steel or iron rim. Jeremy showed us how he shrinks the metal rim over the wooden wheel, binding the wooden parts together. Using the old techniques, he wraps the rubber around the steel rim and secures it with the heavy wire. The rub-ber squeezes over the joint and comes together

without a crack. The addition of rubber on the metal rim was a pivotal moment in the industry and was used first on Queen Victoria’s carriage. Her ride was not made less jarring, but it was considerably quieter as she rolled over the cobblestone streets of London. The greater value was that it protected the metal rim, giving the wheel a robust, durable wearing surface. Tens of thousands of patents were granted to the carriage making industry during the Victorian age. Jeremy points out a hub-boring machine in his shop that was patented in 1886, which allowed manufacturers to mass produce hubs. They simply clamped the hub into the machine and in a matter of minutes, it reamed out the shaped interior hole to fit the metal boxing that goes in. Before that, it had to be carved out by hand. Such inventions gave factories the ability to turn out hundreds of thousands of vehicles in the course of a year in-stead of tens of vehicles. Much of the terminology we use in the auto industry today, including tires, spokes and fifth wheel, started with the horse-drawn carriage. The fifth wheel referred to the pivoting area that allows the front wheel to turn under the vehicle. Jeremy sees the evolution of the trade as part of our personal culture. “It is part of our heritage. We should respect these skills like we do classical art,” he says. Backing up their commitment to preserve

these skills, the Remington Carriage Museum plans to hold workshops to teach interested indi-viduals particular skills in carriage restoration next summer. They may offer longer internships if there is an interest. Some of Jeremy’s favorite horse drawn ve-hicles in the Remington collection include the whimsical sleighs and cutters with shapely curves and beautiful accents. He also likes the pair of elaborately constructed two-wheeled gigs from Holland. These feature hand-painted rural scenes of blue on white, a familiar style to those who know Delftware Dutch china. “Vehicles have changed,” Jeremy says, “but the people using them haven’t changed. People have the same wants and needs, and they have the ability to design, build, and find ways to meet their needs. They just go about it differ-ently today.” ISI

Driving You Buggy:Remington Carriage Museum in Cardston, Alberta, Canada


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