mature times september 2011

8/3/2019 Mature Times September 2011

1/16

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Community

Aiken Alzheimers Walk.

Page 8

inside

FinanCial

Advice from Jay Brooks.

Page 5

Feature

Camillia Daze.

Page 9

By: Midge Rothrock

The Goodwill Ambassadorof Kalmia Landing is full of

delightful stories, and he is

illing to share them, with

ivid recall. Fred Ashurst

has really been there.

done that. over his 95-year

life span. Did you know, for

example, that Kalmia is named

for a mountain laurel? He is

like a walking game of TrivialPursuit, with the anecdotes he

oyfully shares.

This Aiken native, born in

1915, lived across the street

from Dr. Ravenel, the botanist,

in a comfortable home down-

town. Fred made a living as

a tennis player, a teaching pro

and a head pro at some exotic

locales and resorts, as well asright here in Aiken. In fact,

Fred believes he is the oldest

living tennis pro in the US at

this time. He worked with in-

teresting students, well known

among movers and shakers

in their times, especially in

politics and business circles.

In between, he attended the

Citadel, served in World War

II, married, help raise a family,

enjoyed gardening, and is a

patriot of the utmost degree.

It is refreshing to hear ac-

counts of his life, dotted with

names like Arthur Ashe, John

Foster Dulles, and his brother,

an international spy, Marion

Smoak Oliver North Winter

Colony folks, and Dr. Charles

Moran.

His rst chance at having atennis racquet in his hands be-

gan when he was just 5 years

old, willingly tagging along

with his father, a gifted player

of the game. Fred took hints

and lessons from anyone who

was tolerant enough to spend

time with this young, gifted

athlete. He learned from Ellen

Terry, among others (she livedin Aiken, and was National

Womens Tennis Champion in

1893). By the time he was in

his early teens, he had devel-

oped quite a following of stu-

dents he tutored on the courts.

When asked about his own

victories, he readily admits he

was just pretty good, and got

lucky, winning sometimes.But, ohthis man could

teach! And, he obviously was

sought-after company by the

rich and famous; including

coaching many of the Whos

Who from Aikens famed

Winter Colony.

Dr. Moran was Freds

long-term employer and hero,

taking him into some heady

circles, when Dr. Moran

worked with Bernard Baruch,

Francis I. DuPont, and as

nancial advisor for President

Truman. These names pop

up in Freds delightful tales,

well told, as if rubbing el-

bows with captains and kings,

spies and sports pros was not

unique! Fred is not boasting

or namedropping particularly.

However, in earlier times,the worlds of tennis and golf

were not always so available

to everyone. David Meharg,

Aiken Prep tennis pro, opened

doors for Fred. Turning pro,

in 1938, he began working for

a summer at Faireld Country

Club. He went on to spend

summers at the American

Yacht Club, and a stint at the

world-famous Forest Hills. In

fact, Arthur Ashe announced

the Davis Cup from Freds

tennis shop. That, and many

years at his beloved Virgin

Islands Pro Shop.

Not a particularly tall man,

Fred tells of playing tennis

with Lucy Rutherfords tall

stepson, John, 69, who he

met as an Army man in their

7th Regiment days. JohnRutherford actually used ac-

cess to his Uncle Franklin

to transfer to the Navy, by a

directive phone call from his

uncle to General Marshall.

In World War II, Fred

served proudly in the 207th

the old 7th Regiment, inher-

ited from the 7th Regiment

of England. He is active in

veterans affairs to this day.

In 2008, he traveled to Wash-

ington, DC, with Margaret and

other area vets to pay their

respects at the World War II

Veterans Memorial. This trek

was featured in an area news-

Serving with love in Kalmia

Fred Ashurst

See Ashurst, page 12


2/16


SeniorNet is thriving in Aiken!Did you come to the Fall Open House on Sept 12th at the McGrath SeniorNet

earning Center? If so then you found that because of the publication of theall Session courses in this newspaper in mid-August, people began immedi-

ately to register by mail. Thus some of the most popular courses were alreadylled by the time of the Open House. In the Learning Center Classroom there

are ten computers for student use per class this means that once the schedule

s published, mail-in registrations are accepted. So if you wait to register at theinter Session Open House, you may be disappointed because the course is

closed. How is this problem solved? Further down in this article you will gethe answer to this question! So read on.

The Fall Session began this past Monday, September 26th. However thereare still openings in two of the four-week Picasa courses being offered. Ones being taught on Mondays from 9 to 11 a.m. beginning on October 24th and

ending on November 14th. The other is being taught on Thursdays from 12:30o 2:30 p.m. beginning October 27th and ending on November 17th. The course

ee is $45, and includes a manual as well as the student being able to use thepen Lab any Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 5 for additional practice. Ifnterested in either of these courses, call the USCA Continuing Education Ofce

641-3563) to see if there are still openings. Registration must be in person athe USCA Continuing Education ofce in the Business & Education Building

or by mail. You can view the entire schedule as well as print out a registrationorm for mailing by going to our website www.aikenseniornet.com.

The 8-week Fall session courses have already started. So you will have toait for the Winter Session course schedule that will be published later this Fall

o see what courses will be offered. It should be available in early December.n the October issue of Mature Times the date that the Winter Session course

schedule will be printed in the Aiken Standard will be announced. Once it isublished, registration is open. It is good to note that registration is on a rst

come-rst served basis, and must be done by mail or in person there is no

hone registration.Some of the Fall session workshops do have space available. Most work-

shops are offered on Friday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. However, there are two

evening workshops, and their dates and times are noted below. The fee for eachorkshop is only $20. Its a great way to see what our teaching and courses are

ike. The workshops with openings and the date of each are as follows:

The Fall workshops teaching Mousing Skills, Making Address Labels, Com-puter Maintenance and iTunes are all closed.

All of our class and workshop students have access to the Open Lab period

each week. The Learning Center classroom is open each Wednesday afternoonfrom 3 to 5 p.m. while classes are in session. We invite any interested senior

who has never been to our Learning Center and would like to see our opera-tion, to come for a visit during the Open Lab time on Wednesday afternoons. A

volunteer will be there to answer your questions about our program. Come seeus...nd out what is going to be offered during the Winter Session...and see just

how much fun learning to use your computer can be!

The Creative Side of Word 2007 ........................ ..............Friday, October 7th

Remote Control of Your Home Computer ......................Friday, October 14thComputer Security ........................... ........................... ....Friday, October 28thThe New World of Windows 7.................. ....................Friday, November 4th

The two evening workshops are:Exploring Skype.......................... ...Thursday, October 20th from 6 to 8 p.m.Power Point Presentations........Wednesday, November 2nd from 6 to 8 p.m.

The description of each workshop can be

read on our website www.aikenseniornet.com.

The McGrath SeniorNet

Learning CenterNext to the tennis courts at USCA

You are more than welcome to come to any of the

Wednesday afternoon Open Lab sessionsfrom 3 to 5 p.m.

See the classroom Talk with volunteers

Observe students working on class materials

For more information, visit our website

www.aikenseniornet.com AS07-606666

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3/16

ednesday, September 28, 2011 3

AS09-449426

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4/16

Wdnsday, Sptmbr 28, 20114

To recognize and thank Veterans

for their dedication and commitment

to service, AARP will offer its Senior

Driving Course FREE of CHARGE to

all Veterans and their spouse at Aiken

Regional Medical Center on Thurs-

day, November 3, from 8:30am until

mid-afternoon. This offer is alsoextended to widows and widowers of

Veterans.

This class is reserved for veterans

and spouse only.

You will need either your DD214 or

some other form of Military ID such as

an American Legion or VFW card.

To register yourself and/or your

spouse, call (800) 882-7445.

The Medical Center is located at

302 University Parkway in Aiken.

Students may bring a sack lunch or eatin the hospital cafeteria.

Completion of this class may make

the driver eligible for an auto insur-

ance discount.

FREE AARP Driver Safety

Program for Veterans

The Academy for Lifelong

Learning, Fall session got off to a

good start by offering ve courses

including The Ancient Roman

Republic, More Spy Stories, 4

Artists Sharing Words, Music and

Visual Art ,The Hitchcock Woods

Foundation and Birds Here andThere.

During this coming October, the

Academy will offer: American

Realism in Literature, Classical

Composers, The New Middle

East After the 2011 Revolutions,

Prohibition & The Bahama Queen,

Tie One On, and The Poetry of

Philip Levine: Blue Collar Poet of

Detroit. and as a special event,

attendance at the Fall Steeplechase.

Persons interested in joining

the Academy can request a catalogby contacting Laura Anderson at

USCA Continuing Education Dept.

Business and Education Bldg., room

113 at 641-3563 or Mary Anne

Cavanaugh in room 111, 641-3587.

The Academy for

Lifelong Learning

eveNTS

Individuals with arthritis are oftenstuck between a rock and a hard place.

Doctors want people to exercise to keep

up the range of motion in affected joints.

However, even some limited movements

can cause pain and suffering to those

ith arthritis. Furthermore, individuals

ith arthritis may shy away from the

activities they once enjoyed because the

pain is simply too overwhelming.

Instead of simply sitting on the couch

atching television, there are a number

of different things arthritis sufferers can

do to pass the time and reconnect with

past hobbies and interests. It might just

take a little re-outtting of the tools that

are needed to participate.

GardeningGardening is a popular pastime for

people of all ages. But the repetitive

motions of digging and tilling as wellas gripping a multitude of tools can take

the joy out of the hobby. People with

arthritis can make some changes. Raised

garden beds or container gardening

eliminates the stooping and bending as-

sociated with traditional gardening. With

containers, individuals can place the

containers on a counter or table and do

all the work at a comfortable height.

Choosing low-maintenance plants is

another option. Plants that dont require

as much pruning or repotting are good

for those with arthritis. Also, look for

tools with larger grips and handles to be

easier on arthritic hands.

CraftingMany people with arthritis nd the

ne-detail work they grew accustomed

to is not very comfortable with arthritis.

Instead, there are many other crafts thatcan be practical.

Ceramics are one craft where the

activity can also be the exercise. Using

a pottery wheel or hand-molding doughs

and other modeling media can be a way

to stretch and work the hands and n-

gers. Using paintbrushes equipped with

ider grips can make painting possible.

Mural painting is another option.

gain, those with arthritis can choose

tools with wide handles to make grasp-ing easier. Large designs on walls or

canvases will be easier to handle than

smaller pieces.

CookingCooking and baking is an art form

that can be enjoyed by anyone. Further-

more, with ergonomic spoons, ladles

and other kitchen tools, it has never been

more convenient or less labor-intensive

to be an accomplished home chef.

Baking and pastry creation is one

area where people can show off creative

skills. For those who love to bake but

have trouble kneading and working

dough, food processors, bread machines

and kitchen stand mixers can take the

work out of those processes.

Cooking is not only a rewarding

hobby, but also an activity that can ben-

et the household.Having arthritis doesnt mean a

person has to give up on the activities he

or she enjoys. It merely involves a few

tweaks that can still make these hobbies

enjoyable.

Hobbis arthritissuffrrs can njoy

Container gardening is a hobby

arthritis sufferers can enjoy

AS04-599048

d d S b 28 2011 5


5/16

ednesday, Sepember 28, 2011 5

y: Jay Brooks

Annuities tend to be one of the

most misunderstood and underuti-lized estate planning tools available.Most people view them as guaran-

teed income streams for life, but thenew styles of annuities really offer

so much more. The key is to under-stand why the purchase of an annuity

could be to your advantage and whenit is a product to avoid. Too often

though, I see individuals make the

same mistakes. Benjamin Franklinsaid An investment in knowledge

is Hopefully you can pick upa tip here to prevent those mistakes

from happening to you.

MiStake 1: OWning an

nnuity When yOu die.

It is estimated that 80% of all an-

uity owners pass away owning an-

uities with the intention of leavinghem to their loved ones. Due to theax treatment of annuities, their loved

ones end up paying ordinary incomeaxes on the interest accumulation ofhe inherited account. Lets look at

he following examples.exaMple a: Sally is age 70

and decides to leave her $100,000annuity to her kids because she does

not need the money for income. Shepaid $50,000 for the annuity when it

as originally purchased. At death,her children receive the $100,000but have to pay taxes on the $50,000

orth of accumulated interest. As-suming a tax bracket of 28%, the tax

liability would be $14,000.exaMple B: Instead of leav-

ing the annuity to her kids, Sally

decides to convert the annuity into asingle premium whole life insurancepolicy that provides $178,000 TAXFREE to her kids with no additional

investment required. At her passing,the children now receive $178,000

TAX FREE instead of $100,000 ofhich $50,000 becomes taxable.

MiStake 2: Failing

tO update yOur

BeneFiciarieS

It is critical to make certain thatyour beneciary designation is cor-

rect, so that when you pass away, thepeople whom you intended to leave

your annuity to actually receive themoney. For example, I will list a

couple of the most common prob-lematic beneciary designation

issues.1. Be sure to name contingent

or secondary beneciaries. If yourprimary beneciary dies with you

or before you and there is no other

name listed, the account value getsdistributed by the probate system.

The completely wrong people couldend up inheriting the account in this

case.2. Another problem comes when

people fail to change their benecia-ries. Sometimes a listed beneciary

could predecease the annuity owner.

Many times an annuity owner willlist kids or grandkids as benecia-

ries, but forget to add additionalfuture grandchildren who are born

or adopted, thereby unintentionallydisinheriting them.

MiStake 3: annuitizing a

VariaBle annuitySo many people that I meet who

currently own a variable annuity donot fully understand how it works.

They remember bits and pieces ofthe conversation with the person who

sold it to them but they never graspthe ramications of the product.

Variable annuities often get sold asa product that produces a lifetime

income stream. Although this is true,there are hidden costs to this choice.Once a variable annuity gets annui-

tized, you have lost your rights to theprincipal. You cannot stop and start

the income or change your mind andsay let me have my money back.

Doing this also means that there is

nothing left for your family to inherit

since you gave up your rights to theannuity.

A xed or xed indexed annu-ity, however, allows you to take an

income for life while leaving theaccount value at death to a bene-ciary. You can also stop and start

the income as needed, assuming youchoose a deferred annuity versus

an immediate annuity. For furtherclarication, please feel free to call

the ofce.

The ideas that have been present-ed here are just a few of the impor-tant and common annuity mistakesand are intended to help you save

thousands of wasted tax dollars, passon accounts to loved ones, and have

peace of mind. If you have concernsabout an annuity you purchased or

are currently considering, please con-tact us for a thorough breakdown ofany and all questions you may have.

Jay Brooks, owner of

Brooks Financial.

the misakes annuiy owners make

AS02-516044

Wednesday September 28 20116


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AS07-598484

Its a place where many devoted Aiken seniors spend

their mature times volunteering. It feels so good

to give back, and theyd love to have you join them

donating some of your time or talent. Contact Judy

Floyd, Director, at 640-1708, or visit their website at

www.christcentralaiken.com to see the wonderful things

done by Christ Central.

This Christian ministry is focused on feeding the

hungry, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked,

caring for the sick, and mentoring at risk children ages

3 to 18 years.

St. Johns UMC especially salutes Christ Central

volunteers Brenda Meeks and Ruth McAfee (Brendasmom), Pat Sauls, Carolyn Roberts, Linda Endler, Hilda

Secrist, Les King, Steve Lathrop, Arlene Usher, Gary

Allington, Nancy Tisdale (and, her 101-year-old mom

Ruth Milks) and Joan Bodkin, who helped until recent

months! These folks join the other wonderful Aiken and

area volunteers, working with the mission station,

mentoring, the Board, and the

kitchen. Christ Central is

supported in part by the

Faith Promises of St. Johns

members in Global

Outreach efforts.

For I was hungry and you gave me

something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave

me something to drink, I was a stranger and

you invited me in, I needed clothes and you

clothed me, I was sick and you looked after

me, I was in prison and you came to visit

me.

Matthew 25:35-36

AS04-608067

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7/16


By: Linda Farron Knapp, Attorney at Law

Q - My son had a head injury as

a result of a car accident and drawsdisability. I worry about what will

happen when I die. Im not sure I

can rely on family. Im not wealthy,

but I own my house. How do I plan

for him?

A - Estate and long term care

planning for parents of special needs

minor children and disabled adult

children can be overwhelming.

Parents give so much and worry

about who will care and do as much

as they do when they are no longer

able to provide nancially or do all

the things that are needed on a daily

basis. Parents often fear the cost of

special needs planning, but their real

concern should be what will hap-

pen if they dont plan at all. Special

needs planning involves dealingwith nancial and long term support

matters, including the cost of resi-

dential, medical care and prescrip-

tions over the life of the child; actual

oversight and care of the person; andeducational and quality of life issues

for the child. Because of the unique

needs of every disabled adult and

special needs child this requires a

one-on-one legal consult and a very

frank discussion on resources and

family care support. It often re-

quires you and your attorney to craft

an individual plan that maximizes

public benets and protects limited

family funds.

There are different levels of legal

planning based on the parents assets

and the needs of the child. A rst

step might be to have a will made

with guardianship provisions and to

be certain the childs IEPiii needs

are being addressed. If the child

is now an adult, the parent mightconsider protecting the home with

a life estate for the adult child. A

more thorough plan might include

a court appointed guardianship and

special needs or supplemental needstrust with involvement of a nancial

advisor, CPA or tax professional, life

insurance agent, and a professional

care coordinator.

I would encourage you to stay or

get involved with a support group

that focuses on your childs condi-

tion as they often stay current in

changes to the law that might impact

your estate plan and frequently have

speaker programs where you can

get access to qualied local special

needs planners. Special needs plan-

ning is critical because we expect

more decreases in government

benets. Already there have been

dramatic cut backs in programs for

disabled adults, and we are seeing

changes in court interpretation ofkey laws.

Boomer Briefngs

ttorney Linda Farron Knapp is amember of the National Academy

of Elder Law Attorneys.

If you have a question for Boomer

Briefngs: Write to Attorney Knapp

at P.O. Box 714, Barnwell, SC 29812

or fax a question to 803-541-7677 or

e-mail her at [email protected].

Questions may be rephrased and all

answers will be addressed only in

Boomer Briefngs articles.

AS02-589412

NOW OPEN

Located near Wal-Mart on Richland Ave.3553 Richland Ave West Suite 124 Aiken, SC 29801

Mon-Sat 10am-9pm Sun 1:30pm-6pm 803-648-9522A

S02-596875

Buy Nine Itemsand Get the

Tenth Item Free.With ad Free Item must

be a Dollar Item.



8/16

y, p ,8

iken Alzheimers WalkThe Alzheimers Association Walk

o End AlzheimersTM

was held onSaturday, September 17. Over 300

alkers participated!The event was a tremendous suc-

cess for all involved. Through the gen-erous support of the Aiken community,

the event raised over $30,000 to datethrough Walk to End Alzheimers!

The association will continue toraise funds until November 30, so itsnot too late to help us reach our fund-

raising goal of $38,488.

Funds raised by Walk to End Al-zheimers will be used to will providelocal care and support services to

residents of South Carolina living withlzheimers, while also contributing to

advancing critically-needed researchefforts.

Your dedication makes a difference

in the fght: Together, we can end Al-zheimers the nations sixth-leading

cause of death.To donate go to www.alz.org/

oin_the_cause_donate.asp



9/16

9

By: Rio Grande Dave

Mathotiana (pronounced-muh thoh

tee ann uh) is another camellia with along history in South Carolina. Over

the years, it has been called by several

different names- Julia Drayton, Wil-

liam S. Hastie, Purple Emperor, Purple

King, Purple Prince and Mathotiana

Rubra. It was introduced in the 1840s

by Magnolia Gardens in Charleston,

SC. Other sources say it was propa-

gated in Belgium in 1847 and then

made its way to America. Mathotianablooms mid to late season from De-

cember to May. In the Nomenclature

Book, it is described as carmine (red)

large to very large (4 inches or greater),

rose formal to formal double bloom.

The petals are imbricated (overlapping

like roof shingles), in other words it

looks like a large rose with extra petals.

The blooms take on a purplish blue

shade especially on the petal edges if

the weather gets too cold. In fact, you

will see this coloring, if you go to the

Camellia Show at the Georgia National

Fair October 15, 2011 in Perry, GA.You will likely see several Mathotianas

on exhibition that are a very purplish

blue color. These have been chemical-

ly forced to bloom early with Gibber-

ilic Acid. This is the closest you will

ever come to seeing a blue camellia.

Mathotiana is a very nice planting

for your garden. It forms a compact

upright shrub or small tree. It has very

large glossy dark green leaves and withthe beautiful red blooms, it makes a

striking plant. Also it grows quite well

in shade or sun. Since it has been such

a popular plant over the years, there

is hardly a garden that does not have

Mathotiana. You shouldnt have any

problem fnding a specimen even at the

big box stores.

Heres hoping to see you along the

Camellia Trail.

Camillia Daze

www.hondacarsofaiken.com

663-3636 AS11-561218

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715 E. Pine Log Rd.Aiken, SC 29803

641-4401www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com

924 Hayne Ave.Aiken, SC 29801

642-3456www.shellhouseriversfuneralhome.com

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COMPLETEFUNERALSERVICEOnSite Crematory Pine Log Rd. Location

Affiliated with Bethany Cemetery Pre-Planning Arrangements Monuments Out of Town Burial Service

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10/16

People born between 1946 and

1954, collectively known as Baby

oomers, are trading in their family

ehicles for something with a little

ore power -- sports cars. When the

est is empty (and sometimes be-

ore), the vehicle of choice becomes a

sporty, fast little ride that may be the

envy of all who see it.

Baby Boomers tend to have a

igher income and/or a surplus in

savings after retirement and choose to

expend some funds on a car that willake waves. Convertibles are a popu-

ar choice among this demographic,

as are other roadsters that turn heads.

ere are some of the more popular

odels youll see cruising the road-

ays with Boomers behind the wheel,

according to statistics from TrueCar.

com.

Chevrolet Corvette: The quintes-

sential American sports car, Corvettes

are especially popular among Baby

Boomers. Boomers ock to Corvettes

more than any other age group, with

nearly 64 percent of buyers belonging

to the Boomer generation.

Volvo C70: A turbo-charged,

5-cylinder engine provides enough

power to give a thrill to many Boom-

ers. And with a convertible top option,

its possible to have a breeze running

through their receding hairlines, too.

Mercedes Benz SL: If its statusand substance that Boomers desire,

then theres no looking beyond a

Mercedes. Afuent Baby Boomers

can enjoy a V8 engine and plenty of

electrical gadgets to make their rides

fun.

BMW 6 Series Convertible: An-

other premier car for the elite Boomer,

the BMW sees 80 percent of its sales

going toward Boomers. The 6 series is

quick and has understated good looks,

which also helps the vehicle serve as

a status symbol for those behind the

wheel.

Porsche Boxter: For those who

have always aspired to be behind

the wheel of a Porsche, the Boxter is

small and sporty, perfect for handling

the turns on the way to a country

winery or maneuvering around trafc

in an urban setting.

According to industry experts,Baby Boomers have long driven the

direction of the automotive industry.

Many desire to stay away from the

brands and styles their parents drove,

preferring something with more pep

and style.

In addition to the makes and mod-

els mentioned, CNW Marketing Re-

search, a rm that looks at the reasons

behind car purchases, says Boomers

make purchases not only for the style

of the car but also for the image the

brand offers. The rm lists these

vehicles as other popular purchases

among Baby Boomers.

Dodge Viper

Toyota Avalon

Cadillac DTS

Chrysler 300

Jaguar XK

Lexus LS 600h

Lexus SC 430 Audi A8/S8

Inniti FX

Lincoln MKZ

Form and fashion drives the pur-

chase of many Baby Boomers looking

for a new vehicle. With more dis-

posable income, many can afford to

splurge on a car that is sporty and will

garner oohs and ahhs from others.

Baby Boomers prefer sports cars

The Lexus SC 430 convertible is one of the many sports cars that Baby Boomers tend to gravitate toward ednesday, September 28, 2011 11


11/16AS31-607199

(803) 335-1369

(803) 335-1369



12/16

paper, as these proud members of the

greatest generation are dwindling in

numbers.

Imagine the surprise Fred felt when,

in May of 2007, he received a let-

ter from the Department of Veteransffairs offering their condolences on

the loss of his life. No sir hes a

long way from from being anything

but alive, and this is more than 4 years

later! With his trademark sense of hu-

mor, he shared the ofcial document,

bringing a good chuckle.

With great pride, Fred claims his

Citadel alum status, citing the name

of another equally lively super senior,his lifelong boyhood pal and fellow

alumnae, Marion Smoak, also in his

mid-90s.

Marion H. Smoak, Citadel, 1938,

from Aiken, was the Chief of Protocol

at the Reagan White House, also hold-

ing the rank of U.S. Ambassador. He

had a Twenty-year United States Army

career during which he made 58 jumps

ith the 82nd and 11th Army Airborne

to proudly qualify for the very presti-

gious Master Parachutist Badge. He

served as SC State Senator, 1966. (And

dated Margaret Truman long ago!)

Fred had a ance when he left to

serve our nation. She did not wait. As

it turns out, these things can be a bless-

ing. Fred met the lovely Margaret, awidow with two kids aged 9 and 10,

while she was vacationing at the resort

where Fred was employed, as the ten-

nis pro, in the Virgin Islands. What

an exotic way to begin a love story!

Margaret was relishing the relaxation

of her vacation, and told Fred that she

wished she would never have to leave

Virgin Islands. He made her dream

come true, as he was the tennis pro formany years there after their marriage,

working for the Hilton resort. These

children are Doug and Jane Kilgore.

Doug bought the Racquet Club in

Augusta, subsequently ruined by a

ood; and, Jane works for a Norwe-

gian Cruise Line in Florida. Fred also

loved dogs. Marty Healy, local author

of dog tales, included a story about

Freds dog Nellie, who saved the

life of a 90-year-old woman who was

shing. Amazing feats run through his

life, even down to his pet.

Spence Grothier, a Kalmia neighbor

of Freds, tells a story oft repeated by

Fred, where at one time a young fel-

low, rather full of himself, showed up

on the tennis courts at this Hilton re-

sort, improperly dressed for the sport.

Fred politely told him to return when

he was in proper attire. The teenager

snapped, Dont you know who I am?

Im Nicky Hilton! (He went on to

marry Elizabeth Taylor. This Hilton

ashurst...from page 1

Fred and Margaret.

Fred playing tennis tennis in 1938.



13/16

family legacy, distinguished or just

simply famous for being famous, is

ell known through the generations,

right up until present day! Apparently,

arrogance was part of the DNA.)

Many folks do not get to hear

the words about how they impacted

people who crossed their paths in theirlifetime. Here is what Freds neighbor

Spence Grothier thinks of Fred. Fred

is one of those rare friends that come

into your life and, in short time, you

feel like hes a member of your family.

He was at our door the day Jane and I

moved into our new home in Kalmia

Landing some nine years ago . . . Can

I help you with anything? Where are

ou from? I may have been there! Areou interested in planting a vegetable

garden? We have garden plots here,

ou know. Well, it did not take long

for us to feel welcome in our new

neighborhood with Fred dropping by

occasionally with a word of encour-

agement.

During some of my later activities

ith this special friend, I soon came to

realize that he was not just an original

Aiken hometown guy, which he was.

But, he has had an extraordinary life as

a World War II veteran, tennis profes-

sional, an organic gardener, and more.

He is a great role model for us all . . .

making the most of our Senior Years

. . . with interest in and a concern for

others. (Now, this is high praise fromSpence, an amazing guy who himself

stays very busy volunteering, garden-

ing, and leading the Prime Time Trav-

elers from St. Johns UMC).

Lamar and Vera Keisler, Kalmia

Landing neighbors, enjoy their spirited

neighbor, his lovely wife Margaret,

and his gift for great storytelling.

Mary Kenney seconds that, as well

as reinforcing Freds love of patrioticevents. Although Fred is not Method-

ist, he would not miss the worship ser-

vice celebrating the 4th of July at St.

Johns where the veterans are honored,

and patriotic music is presented. And,

on 9-11, before coming to St. Johns

service commemorating the tenth anni-

versary, he attended the ag ceremony

at Kalmia Landing.

Doug Leader, another outstanding

Aiken Super Senior citizen, shares

these comments: I met Fred at the

Aiken Senior Mens Club; he has

the type of outgoing personality that

makes you want to be his friend as

soon as you meet him. He has loaned

me books from his collection and

shared interesting experiences. Whenwe purchased our home on Hillcrest

Road, we were told that the property

was originally the tennis court for the

big house next door. It was sold to

one of the early DuPont staff members

who came to build the Savannah River

Plant. When Fred learned where I

lived he told me that he used to play

tennis on that court and had a pho-

tograph of him playing tennis wheremy home now stands. The photo was

taken in 1938 the year that he turned

professional. Fred is a wonderful man

and I am proud to be one of his friends.

Dr. Hibbard, greatly admired by

Fred, is a retired UMC Minister, and

active in the same mens club. He

seconds Dougs opinion. Fred also

enjoyed the company of an extraordi-

narily brave and now deceased veteran,

Harry Burdette. Another man he ad-

mired was his lifelong friend, Marion

Courtney, Rebas husband, who played

baseball, and loved Clemson.

To what does Fred attribute his

good health? Good genes, and an

attentive wife, who also loves healthy

eating, which they learned from theirdays at posh resorts where he worked.

They really enjoy salads, veggies and

fruits, sh, fowl, and chicken. As he

grew up in a family of ne athletes and

great gardeners, he developed a love

for both things. Now, Spence Grothier

and John OConnell (Marine and for-

mer CIA) do the digging for Fred. But

Fred still enjoys his organic garden.

He hopes to be thought of as a goodChristian fellow, a good athlete, and a

good gardener.

Add fantastic storyteller to that

list! Fred might still be available for a

personal chat, or to speak to a commu-

nity gathering. Give him a call if you

want to hear some fascinating history

of Aiken, of tennis, of political inner

circles, and of great men and women

he admires, past and present.

803-648-7616

www.rightathome.net/csra

AS12-446508



14/16

Most adults recall a time or times

hen their mothers insisted they drink

heir milk. Though it might not have been

referred at the time, adults might now

ecognize Mom was doing her best to helper kids build and maintain strong bones.

hose who didnt listen to Mommy dear-

st might nd themselves among the 44

illion Americans whom the National Os-

eoporosis Foundation estimates live with

steoporosis, a condition that weakens

ones and increases the risk of unexpected

ractures.

But why milk? While milk alone wont

revent osteoporosis, dairy products like

ilk are rich in calcium, an essential nutri-nt for building and maintaining strong

ones. In addition, getting an early start

s especially important, as the NOF notes

hat roughly 85-90 percent of adult bone

ass is acquired by age 18 in girls and

ge 20 in boys. Though this still might not

nspire kids to pour themselves a glass of

ilk, perhaps a better understanding of

steoporosis and its potentially debilitat-

ng effects can inspire adults and childrenlike to do all they can to prevent the onset

f osteoporosis.

What Is Osteoporosis?Osteoporosis is often mistaken as a

ondition that only affects little old ladies.

hile osteoporosis is most common in

lder women, anyone can develop it. As

any as half of all women and a quarter

f men older than 50 will break a bone

ecause of osteoporosis, which many mennd women are not even aware they have

ntil that initial injury occurs.

What Happens When a Person

Has Osteoporosis?When discussing osteoporosis, its

est to rst discuss osteopenia, a silent

ondition the precedes osteoporosis, often

obbing bones of their strength. Osteope-

ia is related to bone mineral density,hich measures the levels of minerals in

he bones. When BMD levels are low, a

erson is said to have osteopenia, which

an, and often does, gradually become

steoporosis.

Osteopenia is akin to an accomplished

rt thief. Methodical and often unnoticed,

steopenia exhibits no physical signs, and

ven the most physically active people

could have osteopenia and not know it.

The rst warning sign could be a fractured

bone.

When a person has fractured a bone,

he or she might already have osteoporosis.When osteoporosis has established itself,

the bones have weakened and become thin

and are highly susceptible to fracture. For

example, its not impossible for a person

with osteoporosis to lift a bag of grocer-

ies and break a bone or suffer a collapsed

vertebra in the back. Such a task might

otherwise seem trivial, but to a person

with osteoporosis, no physical activity is

without risk.

Can Osteoporosis Be Prevented?Fortunately, osteoporosis and any

resulting fractures can often be prevented.

As previously mentioned, thanks to bone

mass development its important for

parents to encourage kids to increase the

amount of calcium in their diet. Milk and

dairy products, preferably low fat ver-

sions; dark green leafy vegetables (in-

cluding broccoli, collards and kale); andcalcium-fortied orange juice are great

sources of calcium.

Another way to prevent osteoporosis

is to exercise regularly. Routine exercise

helps strengthen bones and muscles and

prevent bone loss. Weight-bearing exer-cises, which include walking, jogging and

even dancing, done three to four times a

week are the best for preventing osteopo-

rosis. Strength and balance exercises also

help avoid falling, decreasing the risk of

broken bones.

Adequate calcium is necessary to

prevent osteoporosis, but men and women

must also make sure to include vitamin

D in their diet. Vitamin D, which can be

found in eggs, fatty sh (including salm-on), cereal, and even some supplements, is

necessary for the body to absorb calcium.

Research continues to indicate that people

are simply not getting enough vitamin

D. Discuss vitamin D with a physician to

determine the best way to get more of it in

your daily diet. A vitamin D supplement

might be the most viable option.

To learn more about osteoporosis, visit

the National Osteoporosis Foundation atwww.nof.org.

Understanding and preventing osteoporosis

An activity as simple as awalk in the park can help men

and women reduce their riskfor osteoporosis.

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15/16

This is the second installment in

aybreak Adult Cares series of fea-

ure articles that chronicle the experi-

nces of those caring for loved onesith Alzheimers disease.

I was just making a plan for the

day ahead of me. When you live with

an Alzheimers patient, each new

day needs a plan, although a exible

one, so that your time can be spent as

smoothly as possible for you and for

hem. It reminds me of when our chil-

dren were small. I needed to maintainstructure and a schedule. This allowed

hings to feel secure for them and more

eaceful me. Now that I am the care-

giver (and in many ways the parent)

or my husband Frank, I need the same

ype of plan.

I remember being a young mother

ith several small children. I needed

a lot of support. I appreciated all the

elp I received from friends, family

members, and babysitters. Now, I

need the same kind of support from

those around me. Ive learned how

important it is to ask for help. Tryingto do everything alone only adds to the

feelings of anxiety, anger, guilt, and

sadness that are part of dealing with

this disease. Im so fortunate to have

great people around me who are will-

ing to help.

One of the rst things I did when

Frank was diagnosed with Alzheimers

was to sit down with our grown chil-

dren. We talked about the differentways in which each one could help.

One son lives many states away. He

would not be able to physically be

available very often. So, he offered to

send money each month to help with

some of the care expenses. Another

daughter offered to pitch in by assum-

ing some of the jobs that had always

been Franks responsibilities such as

looking after our nances. My third

child lives in town and is able to come

on a regular basis and give me emo-

tional support as well as look after her

father on some occasions.Even with all of the help that I

have received from my children, I still

would not be able to look after Frank

without the help of a good in home

care service. Its not a luxury that I am

able to have time to look after my own

physical and emotional well being.

Its a necessity. Ive also found that

trained caregivers are essential in my

situation. At rst, I tried hiring friendsof friends that heard I needed some

help. They would show up with books

and magazines to read, crossword

puzzles to work. Many people do not

understand the level of care necessary

when looking after an Alzheimers

patient.

It was really important to me that

Frank be able to stay in our home

where we have built our lives together.

As his disease progressed I wanted

him to be in an environment where he

was most familiar and most comfort-

able. So far, Ive been able to achievethis goal. But, I could have never done

it without a lot of help. . .

Talk to you soon, Gayle

Team Work

If you need help caring

for your loved one,contact your local

chapter of the

www.daybreakcare.com

Alzheimers Association for

a list of resources.

AS01-593714



16/16

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Call 803-226-0288 for a Free In Home Consultation1028 Hayne Ave., SW Aiken, SC

Visit us online at www.DayBreakCare.comDOL/EEOICPA Provider Member of NPDA

Companionship

Meal Preparation

Grocery Shopping

Household Chores

Laundry

Respite Care

Transportation

Hospital Sitting

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Alzheimers Care

Bathing Assistance

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You know her well.

Her familiar oaks wrap their welcoming arms around you.

Her warm sunlight soothes your soul...and spirit.Her southern charm reminds you why you love this town.

There's No Place Like HomeIn Aiken.

Serving Aiken North Augusta Barnwell Williston

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mature times september 2011

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