Living the Dream’ Tom and Lois Carnall Back Home Tom Carnall Retired from Omnisource in Preble from Seasonal Jobs at in Fort Wayne One Day This Past March

Home , Living the Dream (House)

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““Andd this iis my offfice,”” Loiis CCarnalll woulld offtten tellll hher shuttle bus passengers during her recently com- plp eted seasonal joj b at Bryyce Canyoy n National Park. ‘Living the dream’ Tom and Lois Carnall back home Tom Carnall retired from OmniSource in Preble from seasonal jobs at in Fort Wayne one day this past March. Bryce Canyon National Park The retirement party was held in the morning and by 2 p.m. they were on the By Mark Miller road. They’d been contemplating and investigating a retirement of nomadic, If you have any doubt that Tom and seasonal work for years and had been Lois Carnall of Preble enjoyed their in contact with the Red Canyon Transit inaugural season of working in Bryce Co., which contracts for services with Canyon National Park, spend a few the National Park Service, answering an minutes with ad in early January. CCoverover them. All They had been struggling with pulling doubts will be the trigger, however. Tom had been re- StoryStory removed. elected as a line offi cer with the Preble “We abso- Volunteer Fire Department, and Lois’ lutely loved 95-year-old mother was in a nursing it,” Lois will tell you. “It was a lot home. The man who would become of fun.” The couple felt well treated their supervisor, after reviewing their by their employers, made many new applications and checking their refer- friends, did quite a bit of sightseeing ences, told them they were fi rst on his themselves and enjoyed their jobs, par- list — they had jobs if they wanted ticularly talking with the endless num- them. ber of tourists they dealt with. “We kept putting him off,” Tom said. “Oh sure, there were days and there “Mom’s health improved and the nurs- were problems,” Lois added. es encouraged us to go,” Lois added. “I’d say 95 percent of the people were “So one day I called Lamont (Olsen, The Carnall’s part-time schedule allowed for amazing, very friendly” Tom said. “The their supervisor) to see if the jobs were plenty of tourist time of their own. Above, other fi ve percent…” More on those still open,” Tom continued. “He said Lois is along Burr Trail near Boulder, Utah. later. ‘come on out,’ so I gave my notice of (Top photo by Mark Miller; Above photo provided) Page 4 Senior Living • Winter 2019 retirement and off we went.” The couple, married since 1974 with two children and two grandchildren, had purchased a large motor home a few years ago with the intent to live in it full time in retirement. Their camp- ing experience goes back more than 30 years. “This is something he’s been talking about since he’s been in his 30s,” Lois explained. Tom joined an internet group called Workcamper.com. “I get between two and 20 emails every day about jobs all across the country,” he said. The prospect of working at Bryce Canyon, somewhere they’d never been, sounded intriguing. They had ini- tially inquired about overseeing a small campground, but by the time they decided to do it, that job had been fi lled. “It turned out we got the jobs we were supposed to get,” Lois said. She is retired from 31 years of driv- Back home again in Indiana (at least for the time being), Tom and Lois Carnall display a ing a bus for North Adams Community few of their mementoes from their first season of working at Bryce Canyon National Park: Schools. She would drive one of the they are holding some fossilized sea shells which proves that Utah was once a seabed; in shuttle buses in the park. “So I’ve been front of them are a book written by their supervisor, Lamont Olsen and a scrapbook they in training for this for 31 years.” are still working on. (Photo by Mark Miller) Tom was a parking lot attendant, tasked with keeping cars and people with “were much more relaxed,” she Bluffton High School in 1973; Lois moving which is key to keeping the en- said. “After all, all they had to do was (Wall) from Southern Wells in 1972. tire park from becoming a big gridlock sit back and look at the scenery. They “I’m the older woman,” she chimed during the busy summer months. didn’t have to worry about the traffi c in. Each has a number of stories to share. or parking.” There were diffi cult times, Tom’s working years began as a bus “Some of the people are kind of hard she added. “It could get pretty crazy boy at the Dutch Mill, where his efforts to deal with,” Tom said with a grin. “A between noon and about 4 during the caught the eye of Roger Swain, who lot of the foreigners don’t know how to summer.” Her tasks included helping was the publisher and owner of The drive; a lot of them get impatient. They people in wheel chairs and loading and News-Banner. Tom worked in the pro- don’t understand why they have to keep unloading bicycles onto the bus’ bike duction area of the newspaper through moving. They can’t just sit there and racks. Her bus was rear-ended one day, high school. He then worked for Korte wait for a parking spot to open up. It but fortunately during her lunch break Paper in Fort Wayne, Central Soya in would back everything up. when a relief driver was at the wheel. Decatur and then fi nished at Omni- “I’ve been cussed at in every language “We often said we were ‘living the Source. known to man,” he added, chuckling dream,’” she said. Lois was working at Franklin Electric at the memories. “They’d be talking to ———— when the couple met. They eventually me in English but then they’d get ex- Tom and Lois Carnall are both Wells moved to Adams County where they cited. When they started talking in their County natives. Tom graduated from raised their two children. own language, I knew the situation had changed.” It was not unusual for Tom and his GET YOUR co-workers to be nudged by a car of an upset driver. “But then some of them would circle the lot for 20 or 30 minutes and then get a spot, run up to the edge, take a picture FROM… and then get back in their car. ‘That’s a good view but don’t you want to walk 2009 – 2019 up to the observation point?’ I would ask them. “It’s beautiful up there.’ They’d say ‘no we don’t have time.’ /)XZ/PSUI #MVò UPOt Amazing.” Meanwhile, the people Lois dealt Check Out Our Complete List Online @ velocitymotorsofbluff ton.com Senior Living • Winter 2019 Page 5

———— their supervisors. Olsen is a published It was not “all work and no play” dur- writer (author of a series called “Space ing their time in southeastern Utah. Not Train”) and often took them to local by any stretch. events or to a nearby landmark. “Lamont told us he’d didn’t know “He’s very knowledgeable, a very in- whether he could get us 40 hours a teresting gentleman,” Tom said. week,” Tom said. “We said ‘we’re re- “We worked with some pretty neat tired, we don’t want to work 40 hours a people,” Lois added. There was a re- week!’” tired rancher from Utah, a couple from Each averaged less than 30 hours, Louisiana, but many of the seasonal which normally meant four off-days per workers were more local. “We were week and the company was very fl ex- constantly asking questions and we ible about taking additional time off. learned so much from them.” “We took a whole week off when our And Bryce Canyon itself was, they daughter and granddaughter came out said, “tremendous.” to visit,” Tom said. Lois recalled early-morning shifts that Their own tourism included Powell often meant no passengers the fi rst time Point, Pink Choral Dunes, Aquarious or two through the route. It gave her Plateau, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City the chances to enjoy the quietness and and the salt fl ats, the Grand Staircase- beauty of the park. Tom also had many Escalante and Johnson Canyon. early-morning opportunities to gaze out Did they feel like they were being over the canyon. paid to vacation? “Every day, it looked different, de- “Oh yes, very much so,” Lois said. pending on the sun and the clouds,” he The hardest part of Tom and Lois Carnall’s “We told a lot of people just that.” As said. And then there was the night of decision to work a season at Bryce Canyon she pointed out different aspects of the the “super moon” that created unique National Park was being away from their park to her passengers, Lois would of- views the couple will never forget. family. Their daughter and granddaughter, Blakely, were able to fly out for a week’s ten add “and this is my offi ce.” “The canyon glowed,” Lois said. “The visit, during which the couple got some They speak well of the company and Continued on page 17 special family time (Photo provided) Page 6 Senior Living • Winter 2019 A holiday roast to remember

The holiday season is crust uniformly covers a perfect opportunity to roast. gather with friends and To make bone-in family, and few things frenched prime rib roast: bring people together like Place roast in bag and an elegant, seasonal meal. marinate in refrigerator Serving up a mouthwa- 45 minutes. tering main dish worth Remove roast from celebrating can elicit rave marinade. Discard mari- reviews from your guests nade. and keep them gathered Season roast with rub around the table longer, 12-18 hours before cook- creating lasting memories. ing and leave uncovered Creating a crowd-pleas- in refrigerator overnight. ing holiday centerpiece When ready to cook, heat starts with choosing a fl a- oven to 225 F. Place roast vorful, tender cut of meat. on elevated rack in roast- For example, elegant cuts ing pan. like Chateaubriand (roast- Roast 3 hours and 15 size fi let mignon) or Bone- minutes, or until roast In Frenched Rib Roast can Note: Red Pepper Cranberry Sauce reaches internal tempera- serve as the focal point of a memorable can be made up to 3 days in advance. ture between 120-125 F. meal. Let roast rest 30-45 minutes. Simple to prepare and easy to carve, Whiskey Marinated Holiday Roast Broil on high 2 inches from broiler, 4 all you need Prep time: 45 minutes-1 hour, plus minutes on one side then fl ip and broil HHolidayoliday to do is 48-72 hours thawing time; Cook time: 2 minutes on other side, or until brown season (or 2-3 1/2 hours; Total time: 4 days; Yield: crust uniformly covers roast. HelpersHelpers marinate) 4-6 servings and roast be- Marinade: Apricot and White Wine Glaze fore serving 4 ounces water Prep time: 5 minutes; Cook time: 25 alongside a wine-infused sauce like Red 2 ounces whiskey minutes; Total time: 30 minutes; Yield: Pepper Cranberry Sauce or Apricot and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 cups White Wine Glaze. Roast: 1 1/2 cups white wine 2 pound chateaubriand or 4 pound 2/3 cup white wine vinegar Red Pepper Cranberry Sauce bone-in frenched prime rib roast, if fro- 3/4 cup apricot jam Prep time: 5 minutes; Cook time: 25 zen, thawed completely (allow 48-72 2 tablespoons yellow mustard seeds minutes; Total time: 30 minutes; Yield: hours) 2 tablespoons brown mustard seeds 2 cups Option: Choose any number of rubs 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon olive oil for your roast. 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic 2 medium red bell peppers, fi nely diced To make marinade: In large, re-seal- 3/4-1 teaspoon chili fl akes 1 cup red wine able bag, mix water, whiskey and bak- In medium saucepan over medium 1/4 cup red wine vinegar ing soda. heat, combine white wine, white wine 1/3 cup white sugar To make chateaubriand: Place roast vinegar, apricot jam, mustard seeds, salt 2 teaspoons yellow mustard seeds in bag and marinate in refrigerator 30 and garlic. 6 tablespoons dried cranberries minutes. Bring to boil then turn to low and 6 tablespoons dried currants Remove roast from marinade. Discard simmer 25 minutes, or until reduced by 1/4 teaspoon salt marinade. one-third. Heat medium skillet on medium-high Season roast with rub 12-18 hours Remove from heat and stir in chili heat. before cooking and leave uncovered in fl akes. Add olive oil and diced red pepper; refrigerator overnight. When ready to Reheat or bring to room temperature saute 3-5 minutes. cook, heat oven to 225 F. Place roast on to use as glaze or serve as sauce for Add red wine, red wine vinegar, sug- elevated rack in roasting pan. holiday ham. ar, mustard seeds, cranberries, currants Roast 2 hours, or until roast reaches Note: Apricot and White Wine Glaze and salt. Bring mixture to boil then internal temperature between 120-125 may be prepared up to 3 days in ad- turn temperature to low and simmer 20 F. vance. minutes, or until liquid is mostly evapo- Let roast rest 30-45 minutes. Find more recipes and tips to create rated and thickened. Broil on high 2 inches from broiler, 4 a holiday dinner to remember at Oma- Bring to room temperature before minutes on one side then fl ip and broil haSteaks.com. serving alongside holiday roast. 2 minutes on other side, or until brown (Family Features) Senior Living • Winter 2019 Page 7 4 Tips for a merry holiday home A merry holiday a decoration destina- season starts at home. tion — think garlands Here are some nice and candles. Be sure ways to add cheer to to set out sheet music the rooms and spaces and other instruments where people gather. like tambourines or • Light a Fire: It bells so that guests may be the most primi- can join in the fun. tive technology in • Add Flora: existence but lighting Spruce up your liv- a fi re is still one of the ing spaces – literally. best ways to create Holly, Christmas cac- a rich holiday atmo- tus, poinsettias and sphere. Bonus: use ar- spruce add color and omatic fi rewood such vibrancy to mantels, as pine, fi r or cedar. staircases, coffee • Bake Cookies: tables and other nooks Make the whole house and crannies. What’s smell amazing (and PHOTO: ©manaemedia / iStock via Getty Images Plus more, many of these become everyone’s plants will continue to favorite person) by tea with these same ingredients. thrive long after the popping cookies and other desserts in • Host a Sing-a-Long: Securing your- lights and tinsel come down. the oven that include spices evocative self a digital piano with an authentic The holidays come but once a year. of the season, like nutmeg, cloves, cin- concert grand sound may just be the Make the most of the season by turning namon and vanilla. For a lighter option, best gift you give your family this holi- your home into a winter wonderland. you can get the same effect by brewing day season. The piano itself can also be (StatePoint) FREE DENTURE, PARTIAL or IMPLANT CONSULTATION /PSUI.BJO4USFFUt#MVòUPO */ Value $217 Cannot be 260~824~2442tBluff tonDental.com combined with any other off er NEW PATIENTS ONLY COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL CARE Same Day Emergency Exams ¾ Easy Financing Options ¾ Accepting most Insurance Companies Including Delta Dental Premier, HIP2.0 & Medicaid. DR. HOTT Page 8 Senior Living • Winter 2019 Supporting Alzheimer’s caregivers during the holidays More than 16 million fam- simple tasks that others may take ily members and friends for granted. Offer to tackle a care- are serving as Alzheimer’s giver’s holiday to-do list – cook- caregivers in the U.S. As ing, cleaning, gift shopping or families approach the holi- wrapping. day season, there are easy 6. Adapt gift giving. Caregiv- ways to support caregivers ers often neglect their own well- that can ease the burden of being. Select gifts that can help caregiving and help make them take care of themselves and the holidays a joyous time provide some relief. For example, for everyone. gift a household chore service or “Holidays can be stressful meal delivery service. for all of us, but they can To learn more and access re- be especially demanding sources, visit www.alz.org, the for caregivers,” says Ruth website of the Alzheimer’s As- Drew, director of informa- sociation or call its 24/7, free tion and support services at Helpline — even during the holi- the Alzheimer’s Associa- 4. Check in regularly: It’s easy for days — at 800-272-3900. tion. “It’s easy to get lost in the hustle people to lose touch during the holi- Caregiving needs will intensify and and bustle of the holidays, but little days. Calling to check in, sending a become more demanding as Alzheim- gestures can go a long way and can be note or stopping by for a visit can make er’s progresses. While it’s important easier than you think – just one hour a big difference in a caregiver’s day and to check in and support caregivers of help can make a big difference for a help them feel supported. throughout the year, offering additional caregiver.” 5. Tackle holiday to-do lists: Care- help during this busy time of year can An Alzheimer’s Association survey givers are often overwhelmed by the ensure that caregivers have a reliable reports that demands of caregiving and it can be and fl exible support network. many care- hard for them to fi nd time to complete (StatePoint) HHolidayoliday givers are HelpersHelpers not getting the help and support they need – an overwhelming 84 percent of caregivers say they would like more support in caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, especially from family members. The Alzheimer’s Association offers tips for families that can help ease the burden on caregivers this holiday season: 1. Build on traditions: Caregivers may feel overwhelmed by maintaining traditions. Experiment with new traditions that might be less stressful or a better fi t for the caregiver. For example, turn the traditional holiday dinner into a lunch. 2. Adjust expectations: The stress of caregiving responsibilities layered with holiday traditions can take a toll. If a caregiver has traditionally hosted family celebrations, offer to host instead. 3. Give them a break: Make a stand- ing appointment to give caregivers a break. Offer to spend time with the person living with Alzheimer’s to allow the caregiver a chance to run holiday er- rands or engage in an activity that helps he or she recharge. Senior Living • Winter 2019 Page 9 MMakeake tthehe hholidaysolidays a llittleittle ssweeterweeter

11⁄2 cups all-purpose fl our paper. On a lightly fl oured work sur- Pinch of kosher salt face, roll out the dough 1⁄4 inch thick. 1⁄2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, Using a 2-inch star cutter, cut out as sifted many cookies as possible. Gather to- 8 ounces (16 tablespoons) cold gether the scraps, reroll, and continue unsalted butter, cut into cutting out cookies until you have 36 1⁄2-inch pieces cookies. Place the cookies on the pre- 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar pared baking sheets, spacing them 1 Flour for dusting inch apart. Refrigerate until fi rm, at Filling least 1 hour. 1 cup mascarpone cheese Preheat the oven to 300 F. Bake the 1 tablespoon granulated sugar shortbread until fi rm, about 35 minutes. 1⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract At the midway point, switch the baking sheets between the racks and rotate To make the chocolate shortbread: In them 180 degrees to ensure even bak- a bowl, stir together the fl our, salt and ing. Let cool on the baking sheets to cocoa powder and set aside. Combine room temperature. What would the holidays be without the butter and sugar in the bowl of a To make the fi lling: In a small bowl, platters full of homemade cookies? stand mixer fi tted with the paddle at- stir together the mascarpone, sugar and This recipe for “Stareos” from “Clas- tachment and beat on low speed until vanilla until smooth. sic Stars Desserts” (Chronicle Books) the butter and sugar begin to incorpo- Turn 18 of the cookies bottom-side up by Emily Luchetti adds a gourmet spin rate, about 15 seconds. Add the dry in- on a work surface. Using a table knife to a popular chocolate sandwich cookie. gredients and continue to mix until the or a small icing spatula, spread about 1 dough comes together, about 3 minutes. tablespoon of the fi lling on the bottom Stareos It will look dry just before it comes to- of each cookie. Top with the remaining Makes 18 cookies gether. cookies, bottom-side down. Chocolate Shortbread Line 2 baking sheets with parchment Source: Metro Creative Page 10 Senior Living • Winter 2019 Christmas in the castle offers look into home of early 1900s industrialist By Rod King Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th it’s open from noon to 5 and from 4 p.m. Bright colored lights and impres- to 6 p.m. on Monday, December 9. Se- sive decorations are an important and nior day is Tuesday, December 10 from treasured part of the Christmas holiday noon to 5 p.m. and the cost is just $6 season. Viewing them in a turn-of-the- for persons 55 and over. Free parking century mansion/castle makes them is available in the North Campus right even more spectacular. across Spring Street from the man- The University of St. Francis in Fort sion where tickets can be purchased. Wayne will welcome visitors to its Shuttles will be available for persons annual Christmas in the Castle event needing assistance. December 6 through 10. Senior day is Industrialist/banker John Henry Tuesday, December 10. Bass named his 22-room (not All three fl oors of the ornate man- counting bathrooms) Roman- sion will be open and deco- HOOSIER esque-style “country home” rated. Visitors can expect to DAYTRIPS Brookside. It’s 15-foot-high see as many as 15 Christ- beamed ceilings, rich inlaid mas trees throughout decorated by hardwood fl oors, curving staircase professional fl orists, interior dec- and fabric-covered walls help set orators and designers. Thirteen the tone for the event. distinctively different fi replaces Construction on the mansion began will be decorated as well. in 1889. In 1902 a gas explosion in the Activities begin Friday, December 6 basement ignited a fi re that destroyed A beautiful, dark wood staircase leads to at 4 p.m. and run through 6 p.m. On all but a portion of the exterior ma- the second and third floors.

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The Bass Mansion on the campus of the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne features spectacular decorations on all three floors of the turn of the 20th century mansion. (Photos courtesy of USF)

University of Saint Francis used the mansion for many years as its library and administrative offices. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. sonry. The reconstructed home incorporates a combination of classic hand-carved limestone on the outside and a solid con- crete and steel support structure inside. In 1982 it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Protect your Home & your After many years as the school’s library and administrative Peace of Mind from Winter Storms. offi ces, a major restoration was undertaken in 2009 to return Invest in a Generac Home Standby Generator! the mansion’s unique and original decorative and cultural legacy to its former elegance. Work was completed in 2010. Call today to schedule a FREE, The mansion is located on the campus of the University of in-home consultation! St. Francis, 2701 Spring Street, Fort Wayne. Get a head start on the holiday spirit, see some outstand- ing decorations and get a close-up look at how the rich folks 260.638.4514 lived in the early 1900s. twobrosgen.com The writer, a Fort Wayne resident, may be reached at [email protected] Page 12 Senior Living • Winter 2019 Kayaking couple embraces simpler life after ‘source to sea’ journey By Tanya Isch Caylor who live in Fort Wayne, Muncie, and Bowling Green, Ky., along with one On their 1,591-mile kayak trip from family in Adams County — rather than the source of the Wabash River to the hosting them at their own home. Gulf of Mexico, John and LaNae Abnet And “visiting” doesn’t necessar- often fantasized about living a simpler ily mean attending sporting events. life once they returned to land. The way they see it, just because their “How can we recreate this way of life grandkids’ lives have become domi- when we return home?” LaNae wrote nated by scheduled activities doesn’t on her blog (separateboats.com), mid- mean they have to embrace that same way through their four-month journey mentality. in 2017. “How can we perform the ba- “Our goal is to go to one of every- sic survival tasks while spending time body’s games a year,” says John. “We outdoors in nature?” enjoy it. We may go to more than that, With just a few supplies packed into but our goal is one.” their kayaks, life on the river was un- Their views on work and retirement questionably more challenging. Yet it are similarly unconventional — at least felt richer than the lives they’d been in part because reducing debt eases the living back home in Adams County. burden of how much income you need Abnet, a former teacher, posed similar LaNae and John Abnet embraced a simpler to get by. questions in “Paddling Edna,” the book life after returning to Adams County from John, who worked in the automo- she wrote about their experience. their 2017 kayaking expedition from the source of the Wabash River to the Gulf of tive industry before their trip and for a “How can we continue exploring new Mexico. (Photo by Tanya Isch Caylor) short time afterward, doesn’t view the sights instead of spending all our time consulting work he does now as any imprisoned by our “We like coffee.” more valuable than LaNae’s writing and familiar surround- As they continue to evaluate what’s gardening. ings?” meaningful in their lives, the Abnets are Her blog and book provide context to “How can we cre- constantly reimagining concepts most their lives, and her gardening and food ate a peaceful life- people take for granted. preservation saved them thousands of style in our typical Take grandparenthood, for instance. dollars on their 2017 expedition. Pack- American culture?” The Abnets have plenty of space on aged dehydrated camp food is expen- A little over two their property for outdoor experiences sive. LaNae is now in the process of years after the Ab- with their eight grandchildren. But they dehydrating meals for a kayak explora- nets paddled from don’t see themselves ever serving as tion of the Upper Mississippi they’re the Mississippi into full-time babysitters, nor did they set up planning for this coming June. Lanae Abnet’s the Gulf of Mexico, their home for that purpose. As for retirement, they joke that that’s book about their their dream has “We have a great relationship with our not even a word in their vocabulary. journey on the become a reality. grandkids,” John says. But more often The $101 monthly pension check John Wabash River is Having eliminated they visit their kids and grandkids — recently began receiving at age 58 is all available at sev- most of their pos- eral websites. sessions, they literally measured what was left and built walls to fi t on 32 ABOVE& BEYOND Your Vehicle’s 1 acres of land west of Geneva. Stop Cosmetic Shop Their pole barn-style home has the Vehicle Reconditioning soothing feel of a cabin, with each art- fully arranged object, from bed to guitar WE SPECIALIZE IN DEALERSHIP QUALITY DETAILING, to writing desk, serving a purpose. “Now our kids know not to buy us BUT ALSO OFFER OTHER GREAT SERVICES SUCH AS ... anything for Christmas,” jokes John. Only he’s not really joking. These days, tAccessories t1BJOUMFTT%FOU3FNPWBM the burden of fi nding a place for any t4BQ 5BS3PBE1BJOU3FNPWBM t)FBEMJOFS3FQBJS3FQMBDF new possession far outweighs the joy of t$MPUI-FBUIFS4FBU3FQBJST t1BJOU$PSSFDUJPO$FSBNJD$PBUJOH receiving a gift. “Just buy us a bag of coffee,” he says. ttr/.BJO4Ur#MVíUPO */ Senior Living • Winter 2019 Page 13

John and LaNae Abnet paddle into the Gulf of Mexico in 2017, the culmination of a four- month journey that began in a northwestern Ohio ditch where the Wabash River begins. (Photo provided)

he ever expects to receive in conven- running out of time, or running out of sissippi next June. After that, they may tional retirement income. They intend health.” try some cycling trips. John would love to do what’s most meaningful and sen- Staying active has made them ex- for them to live and work in Japan for sible at every stage of their lives. ceptionally fi t for their age. Though a year. LaNae is captivated by the chal- “Retirement isn’t a real thing,” John LaNae, 57, had a genetically troubled lenge of trying to live somewhere cold, says. “It’s an artifi cial construct. In a lot hip replaced after their 2017 trip, she at least for a while. Hearing another of foreign countries, they wouldn’t even moves gracefully about their home and adventurer talk about needing to cut a understand the concept of retirement.” property. hole in the ice to get water really ap- “A bigger worry,” says LaNae, “is They plan to explore the Upper Mis- Continued on page 32 Page 14 Senior Living • Winter 2019 Fiber and cholesterol — and you Q. Does fiber in your diet reduce which are similar in structure to cho- cholesterol? TThehe HHealthyealthy lesterol; this helps them block the absorption of cholesterol in the intes- There are two types of fi ber, GGeezereezer tines. Margarines and orange juice that soluble and insoluble. Soluble By Fred Cicetti have been fortifi ed with plant sterols fi ber is acted upon by the normal can help reduce LDL cholesterol by bacteria in your intestines. In- blood vessels more healthy and elastic. more than 10 percent. soluble fi ber is not digested by the body When walnuts represent 20 percent of The American Heart Association rec- and promotes regularity and softens the calories in a cholesterol-lowering ommends that foods containing plant stools. Wheat bran, whole grain prod- diet, they reduce LDL cholesterol by sterols should be reserved for adults ucts and vegetables are good sources of 12 percent. Almonds appear to have a requiring lower total and LDL choles- insoluble fi ber. similar effect. All nuts are high in calo- terol levels because they are at high risk Soluble fi ber appears to reduce your ries, so use them as replacements for of--or have had--a heart attack. body’s absorption of cholesterol from high-calorie foods with high levels of You may want to try eating more the intestines. Oatmeal contains soluble saturated fats. soluble fi ber, soy protein, walnuts and fi ber that reduces your low-density li- Omega-3 fatty acids in fi sh are noted fatty fi sh. The next step would be the poprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol for lowering triglycerides, another form addition of foods fortifi ed with plant that can increase your risk of heart of fat in your blood. They also benefi t sterols. Eating a combination of these attacks and strokes. This type of fi ber the heart in other ways. The highest cholesterol-lowering foods increases is also found in such foods as kidney levels of omega-3 fatty acids are in the benefi t. beans, brussels sprouts, apples, pears, mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, Of course, if you’re a geezer and you barley and prunes. albacore tuna and salmon. Other good plan to make a change in your habits The American Dietetic Association sources of omega-3 fatty acids include that could affect your health, it is rec- recommends a healthy diet include fl axseed, walnuts, canola oil and soy- ommended that you consult your doctor 20 to 35 grams of fi ber a day, includ- bean oil. fi rst. ing both soluble and insoluble fi ber. Some foods are fortifi ed with plant If you would like to ask a question, write to (Soluble fi ber should make up 5 to 10 [email protected]. substances called sterols or stanols, All Rights Reserved © 2019 by Fred Cicetti grams of your fi ber intake.) However, Americans only consume about half that amount. There are other foods that work The State Health Insurance against cholesterol. Soy protein, found in such products as tofu, soy nuts, soy milk and soy burg- Assistance Program (SHIP) ers, can help lower blood levels of LDL cholesterol, particularly when it’s sub- is here to offer you free and unbiased stituted for animal protein. Ingesting 25 to 50 grams of soy protein a day lowers LDL cholesterol by 4 percent to 8 per- counseling about your Medicare choices, cent. That’s a lot of soy. People with the highest cholesterol levels seem to supplement options, and ways to afford benefi t the most from soy protein. Women with breast cancer or who are at high risk of breast cancer should your health care and medications when consult with their doctors before eating a soy, because it is not clear how these you need it most. plant estrogens might affect them. Studies have shown that walnuts can LOCAL HELP FOR PEOPLE WITH MEDICARE signifi cantly reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, walnuts may also help keep

WWatchatch fforor tthehe SSpringpring eeditiondition ooff SSeniorenior LLivingiving mmagazineagazine MMarch,arch, 22020020 www.medicare.in.gov (800) 452-4800 (866) 846-0139 TDD Our practice focuses on people, not just the law. We are passionate about serving you, your family, and your business with a comprehensive legal perspective. Let us help answer your personal and business legal challenges with a solution that is comprised of equal parts excellence, integrity, and compassion. Th at’s Dale, Huff man & Babcock.

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‘Living the dream’ PRODUCTS Continued from page 5 Serving Wells SERVICE & Huntington SUPERIOR SOLUTIONS formations just popped,” Tom added. County’s with The nearest supermarket was 90 miles SER & SO away, which became a regular weekly dignity and O N day-trip. It would include lunch and respect. MHeating & Air stops at Walmart and JoAnn Fabrics. 824-0228 Conditioning Lois has a sewing machine in the motor 219 E. Perry St. Bluff ton home and continues to do her quilting. 260t824ttXXXNPTFSBOETPOIFBUJOHBOEBJSDPN “And it’s not liking driving 90 miles in Indiana, of course,” added Tom. “It’s through two mountain ranges, great scenery. Every trip was an adventure.” www.myersfuneralhomes.com A New High Efficiency The weather was colder than they’d Huntington 356-2400 • Markle 758-2121 Air Conditioning Unit anticipated. There was 10 feet of snow when they ﬁ rst arrived in late March, LOWERS YOUR BILLS eight inches of snow on May 20 and IOR EN ﬁ ve inches on Labor Day. In between, S C Senior Discount I

T 99.98% CLEANER AIR “the summer was very pleasant but the

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S D I and Over us about installing Summer nights were cold enough that AccuClean™, Humidfiers, they had to turn their furnace on almost AGING BRINGS CHALLENGES Dehumidifiers, or UV every night. D Physical/Emotional (Ultra Violet) Lights. ———— D Family/Relationships Bryce Canyon National Park does not D Loss/Self-Esteem shut down for the winter, but the traffi c count slows to the point that the shuttle Joan Phelps, LMHC ALL SEASON Licensed Mental Health Counselor buses and parking lot attendants are not needed. Their last day was Oct. 20, al- For appointment 824-9353 SERVICE NEEDS lowing the couple to get home in time to or information 86 YEARS OF SERVICE to Our Customers welcome their second grandchild, born Oct 31. SOLID PLANNING “That’s the toughest part, of course,” SFG STEFFEN the couple said almost in unison. “But LOCAL SERVICE we did Facetime every night with the Financial Group kids,” Tom explained. The facilities at PROFESSIONAL ADVICE the employee campground include cable TIM STEFFEN television and an internet connection. Financial Consultant They also had stories about getting to 110 W. Cherry St., Blufft on, IN know their campground neighbors. “It’s very enjoyable,” Lois said. “We 260.824.8175 never regretted it at all. In fact, we’re www.steffi nancial.com going to do it again.” tim@steffi nancial.com The Carnalls are expected back next March, barring any complications re- Securities off ered through Th urston Springer Financial (Member FINRA & SIPC). Tim Steff en is a registered associate of Th urston Springer and is doing business as Steff en Financial Group. Steff en Financial Group is independent of Th urston Springer. garding Lois’ mother or their grandchildren. BLUFFTON Contact us today! 824-3564 offi ce “How long are we going to do this?” ROOFING www.blufftonroofi ng.com • james@blufftonroofi ng.com Lois asked and answered. “We don’t is the RIGHT know. We’ll do it again and then take it Company for your from there.” roofi ng needs Meanwhile, the couple is preparing to put their Preble home on the market. We are certifi ed to Install a wide range of products from When it sells, they will move into their many manufacturers and will help Homeowners make the RV permanently, drive down to Florida Wisest Choice for their project for a spell over the winter, maybe fi nd We Provide: a “workcamper” job down there, or • New roof installation Serving Wells County with Superior Workmanship since 1997 • Re-roofs and repairs maybe not. • Work performed by trained/certifi ed residential roofers (No • Roofi ng Sub-contractors or Piece work) √ Asphalt Shingles Like they said: “Living the dream.” • Homeowners are protected (Roofi ng specifi c Insurance) √ Metal Roofi ng Systems The writer is the editor of Senior Living • Liability Insurance • Siding • Workman’s Compensation Insurance Magazine. Have a story idea? • Home Improvement [email protected] Page 18 Senior Living • Winter 2019 These passengers deserve to be banned from flying By Christopher Elliott But that’s not the only thing that irri- after wiping their nose or mouth,” she tates air travelers. says. “As a result of a few of these They’re inconsider- “Everyone who sits down in their seat fl ights, I have become ill after fl ying.” ate. They irritate you. and then immediately reclines as far She says if you have a potentially And sometimes, they back as possible should be banned,” infectious disease, you should stay infect you. says Phillip Berg, who works for a li- grounded. Unfortunately, airlines take Wouldn’t it be nice brary in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey. a dim view of people who cancel their if we could ban pas- Airlines are already working on that fl ights because they have a cold, the sengers like that from in their own way. Spirit Airlines locks fl u or some other contagious disease. the plane? some of its seats in place (the term They rarely, if ever, offer a refund. And Two “no-fl y” lists it uses is “pre-recline”) to keep pas- in an age of highly restrictive “basic” already exist. The sengers from fi ghting. Delta recently economy-class fares, you might even government implemented similar restrictions to lose your ability to change your ticket has one, which OOnn “protect customers’ personal space.” and fl y after you recover. is a subset of Want to know how to protect passen- If passengers look sick or can’t show the Terrorist TravelTravel gers’ personal space? Give them more a doctor’s note (stating they are not Screening Data- of it instead of taking it away. Just a infectious), an airline should keep them base, or terrorist thought. from boarding. And they should offer watchlist. Generally, you land on that Infectious air travelers a full refund on the ticket, even if it’s list because you might blow up a plane. One category of passenger that can nonrefundable. But that’s not profi table. Airlines also maintain smaller lists of and should be banned – are people What can be done? passengers whose business is unwel- who are ill. Sharon Lawrence, a mental Expanding the airline blacklists is eas- come. You can get on it by threatening health therapist from Largo, Maryland, ier said than done. Airlines must carry a crew member or misbehaving on a says people who know they are sick out their responsibility to provide safe fl ight. shouldn’t fl y. and secure air travel in a nondiscrimina- If you’ve been wondering whether the “I have had to sit next to individuals tory manner, according to experts. airlines should expand their own no-fl y who are sick, coughing, barely cover- “Even though it is the case that air- lists, you’re not alone. ing their mouths or using hand sanitizer lines have rules in their contracts that Inconsiderate passengers Joseph Flanagan, an engineer from Golden, Colorado, thinks the kind of passenger he sat next to on a recent BUSINESS OR PERSONAL fl ight should be blacklisted. “We were barely 10 minutes into the INVEST FOR THE FUTURE fl ight when he pulled off both his shirt and his shoes,” he recalls. “The sight 401(k)s | Asset Management | Banking Services | Bonds | College Planning | UITs of a bare body in an enclosed public | | | | environment was disconcerting. Then Financial Planning Insurance & Annuities IRAs Stocks Personalized Goal Planning he propped his damp feet on the chair Mutual Funds | Pension & Profi t Sharing Plans | Research | Retirement Planning in front of him. Judging by the ensuing Take your business and your personal life to the next level with total investment and retirement plans. stench, neither his socks nor his shoes As a Raymond James Financial Advisor, I will listen closely to your needs and provide personalized answers had seen water or sunlight for quite for which you’re looking — for both your business and your personal life. For more some time.” information about investment strategies and how I can serve your fi nancial Inconsiderate passengers come in all needs, call me today. shapes and sizes. They’re the ones who occupy the bathroom for half an hour, doing their hair and makeup while the Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. other passengers grit their teeth and wait. They’re the bin hogs who place Member FINRA/SIPC their carry-ons above your seat and then walk 10 rows back. Should passengers have to take a basic manners test and submit to personal hy- giene inspection before they’re allowed Kim Gentis - Financial Advisor to board a plane? Financial Advisor Wealth Management Specialist Irritating passengers One of the most irritating passengers, tLJNHFOUJT!SBZNPOEKBNFTDPN of course, is the one who talks nonstop. 1245 N. Main St., Bluff ton, IN 46714 As a result, you can’t sleep, can’t listen Investment Advisory Services are off ered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. to music, can’t get any work done. Senior Living • Winter 2019 Page 19 allow them to remove a passenger under SUDOKU certain conditions, they have to have a sound legal basis,” says David Reischer, NOW BLUFFTON WOODS SILO FARMS F an attorney and CEO of LegalAdvice. O R com, a legal advice website. S He says Federal Aviation Administra- Come see our brand new model homes and tour the community. tion regulations permit airlines to re- A Brand new playground, swimming pool & fishing pond. move passengers if the safety and health L of other travelers are affected. “But such E 824-3874 622-7281 procedures do not allow for the removal of a passenger without proper legal jus- tifi cation,” he adds. How to not be one of those passengers Keep your volume down. Use a head- set, don’t talk loudly and only engage in conversations with people who want to talk to you. Don’t invade people’s space. A plane is a shared space. Don’t lean back unless you ask and receive permission. Don’t hog the armrest. Don’t sprawl. Take a shower before you board. And use deodorant. You don’t have the right to smell bad on a plane. Keep your BRAIN EXERCISE shoes and socks on, especially if you Fill in the blank squares have a foot odor problem. in the grid, making sure that every row, column Christopher Elliott’s latest book is “How To Be The World’s Smartest Traveler” (National Geo- and 3-by-3 box includes graphic). This column originally appeared in the all digits 1 through 9. Washington Post. Answers on page 32. © 2019 Christopher Elliott. Page 20 Senior Living • Winter 2019 A unique love story from World War II

By Kayleen Reusser in her hands which had been sent to The handwriting on the envelope was Melba Thorn Jackson stared at the Georgia offered the fi rst clue to Gerald’s familiar. Both women had seen it in other Mother’s Day card in her hands. Her whereabouts. correspondence, though not for several sister-in-law, Georgia DePoy, had re- As the women examined the return ad- months. ceived the note in the mail at her home in dress on the envelope, they noticed it had It was Gerald’s. Huntington, Indiana. To anyone else, the been sent from Darnall General Hospital — — — card would not appear frightening. But in Danville, Kentucky. Neither Georgia Hoping the card had not been sent as something about it had so alarmed part of a misguided joke, Melba and Georgia that she had rushed it to Georgia contacted the local chapter of Melba’s home. the Red Cross. Maybe someone there Melba understood Georgia’s con- could help them discover who had cern. sent the card. If it was Gerald, what The card contained no signature or was he doing at the hospital and why message. On the envelope the sender had he contacted them in such a hap- had penned Georgia’s address. But hazard method? instead of her name, he or she had A few weeks later, the sisters-in-law written her sister-in-law’s, Melba. heard from the Red Cross. “They told Melba was the newlywed wife of us the card had been sent by a patient Georgia’s brother, Gerald. A student at the hospital,” said Melba. The pa- at Union Township High School in tient, who had been there since early Huntington, she planned to graduate Gerald Jackson Melba Thorn Jackson March, was diagnosed with a severe the following May. mental illness. His identity was un- Against the wishes of her family, Melba nor Melba knew anyone who lived in known. had eloped with Gerald, a farmer four that area or worked at the hospital. Melba and Georgia were convinced the years her senior, in October 1942, shortly Despite the card being unsigned, mailed patient was Gerald. Hurriedly, they made after he was drafted into the Army. Melba by an unknown person from a hospital in plans to visit the hospital, purchasing bus loved Gerald and believed as his wife, a different state, the women felt hope. tickets to Danville and arranging time she would be kept informed of his whereabouts during the war. Immediately after exchanging nuptials, Gerald had left for boot camp training at Camp Croft in South Carolina. Melba continued to live with her parents and attend school. She wrote to her new husband often, praying for his safety. At fi rst, the couple had kept in touch via letters. Melba knew that after complet- ing boot camp, Private Gerald Jackson traveled by troop train to San Francisco where he boarded a troop ship to Aus- tralia. He had written her as often as he could and she treasured each response. Then, the letters stopped. For fi ve months Melba received no word from Gerald. Melba’s father tried to lighten her mood by singing a mournful country tune entitled ‘No Letter Today.’ In April 1943, Melba’s worries in- creased when a stack of her letters sent to Gerald in Australia were returned, un- Dan Richard Bret opened. When she took her concerns to Lipp Randol the Army, offi cials tried to reassure her. Beer “They said he was probably on the move and unable to write,” she said. /.BJO4Ut#MVòUPO Melba tried to stay positive. “I refused tXXXHFOFSBMJOTDPN to believe Gerald was dead,” she said. “I knew he would come home but not in a box.” Now, the unsigned card Melba held Senior Living • Winter 2019 Page 21

Kayleen Reusser, of Bluffton, is a Sadly, he didn’t appear to former regular contributor to Senior recognize Melba or Georgia. Living and News-Banner Publications. He didn’t know his name, nor She has written a series of books about did he recall sending the card. veterans of World War II. This story When Melba showed him fam- is from her most recent book, “It Was ily members from photos she Our War Too — Youth in the Shadows had brought, Gerald exhibited of WWII.” The book is available on no response. the internet and is also available at The Privately, the medical staff BEST BITES News-Banner ofﬁ ce in Bluffton. told the women the few details they knew about what had hap- off for Melba from her job at a munitions DINING pened to Gerald Jackson prior factory in Huntington. Georgia found to his illness. friends to watch her children. From Australia Gerald and other sol- GUIDE The women rode the bus to Danville, diers had sailed to the island of New checking into a hotel before hopping on a Guinea. The invasion there against the street car to Darnall Hospital. Throughout Japanese had begun in January 1942 and their journey they had prayed that the would continue through August 1945. mystery would be revealed and Gerald – Gerald and other troops were sent in as if the patient who had sent the card was replacements. him – would be in good health to return No one knows what happened the day home. Gerald Jackson took refuge during com- Good food, Good service, When Melba showed hospital staff Ger- bat in a foxhole with another soldier. At at a Good value ald’s military serial number, which she one point it is believed he discovered the had written down to prove her identity soldier in the foxhole was dead, killed by Richards and that of his, they agreed she and Geor- an enemy sniper. gia could meet the patient. Melba nearly When Gerald was found in the foxhole, Fried Chicken collapsed upon viewing the man lying in he was delirious with a fever of 108 is a Popular bed. degrees. Military medical personnel diag- It was Gerald! Family Favorite! Continued on page 23 Warm up with our Retired? Homemade Soup and Chili Fresh brewed coff ee is always Let us included with our breakfast help with meals from open until 11AM. Follow your favorite location on your Facebook for special VIP off ers. www.richardsrestaurants.com income -Still family owned needs. -and operated.

BLUFFTON DOUG FEAR, AAMS® Financial Advisor JEREMY PENROD, AAMS® Financial Advisor WEST END 2035 Commerce Dr., Suite 209 201 E. Market St., Suite 1 RESTAURANT 260-565-4134 260-824-2354 JEREMY TODD, AAMS®/CFP® Financial Advisor CORY MANN Financial Advisor Banquet Room 1169 N. Main St. Suite 2 1169 N. Main St. Suite 2 for Holiday 260-824-0686 260-824-0686 Parties OSSIAN Gift LARRY A. SMITH, AAMS® Financial Advisor Certificates 102 S. Jeff erson Available 260-622-7952 702 W. Monroe St. • Decatur, IN • 260.724.2938 Page 22 Senior Living • Winter 2019

More to Mounds (State Park) than meets the eye By Tanya Isch Caylor

I have a vague mem- ory of being under- whelmed by Mounds State Park as a kid. Maybe it’s the name. “Mounds” doesn’t resonate like “Stone- henge,” though the origin stories of both sites are ancient and mysterious. HHoosieroosier Apparently my childhood FFunun self misun- derstood “In- dian mounds” to mean burial sites; the absence of totem poles or artifacts on the weirdly geometric landforms likely proved disappointing. The Great Mound today, above, and Oddly enough, it was reading about an artist’s rendering of an ancient the clamp-tipped emerald green drag- Indian ceremony. (Photo and illustra- onfl y that made me want to stop at the tion courtesy of Mounds State Park) park for the fi rst time in decades on the way back from a recent trip to In- open. We checked out the vats and the following week we made that our dianapolis. We didn’t expect to see the whiskey barrels in the production area destination for a Friday night out. dragonfl y, which I’d read exists almost before settling in with an Apple Cider This time, we intended to explore the nowhere else on the planet, this late in Old Fashioned and a Diet Coke for my park fi rst. the year. But this obscure bit of nature husband, the designated driver. We didn’t make it there in time to tour trivia made me wonder what else I’d By the time we left, it was dark. We the Nature Center, where I’d hoped to overlooked the fi rst time around. drove through the park, just a few min- see specimens of those rare dragonfl ies. Hunger interfered with our sightseeing utes away across the White River, but But I was curious about their habitat — that day. Unenthused by chain restau- couldn’t see much. an unusual kind of wetland called a fen, rants near the interstate, we drove into Funny thing, though: After all these which is also home to other exotic spe- the heart of Anderson and wound up at years of never being the least bit tempt- cies such as the star-nosed mole and the one of the coolest Mexican restaurants ed to pull off the interstate at Anderson, Continued on page 24 we’ve ever tried – and we’ve sampled quite a few over the years. It wasn’t just Burro Loco’s veggie- centric take on Mexican pizza, or the Mexican draft beer on tap that won us over. Honestly, I think we’d go back just to gawk at all the vintage photos, some of which are incorporated into the design of the furniture and décor. Afterward we naturally felt compelled to check out the warehouse- turned-distillery across the street. It was ridiculously warm for late fall, and the Oakley Brothers Distillery had its garage-door style windows cranked Senior Living • Winter 2019 Page 23

WELCOME TO World War II love story riding a bus, then trolley to the hospital. Continued from page 21 As the weeks passed, Gerald seemed to KELLAM ROAD TRIPS YOU HAVE FUN. nosed him with malaria. The terror of the make little progress. Melba felt discour- WE HANDLE THE DETAILS. proximity to a death, combined with a aged, but his physician raised her spirits. From Wells County, Indiana fever may have compelled Gerald to tear “He said Gerald was getting better,” she We specialize in guided motorcoach trips. off his dog tags, worn around each sol- said. dier’s neck as a means of identifi cation, One day when Melba went to visit Ger- and fl ing them into the dense jungle. ald, she sensed something had changed. Deep into his delirium, Gerald could “He remembered everything,” said Mel- not identify himself. A search by military ba. “I saw a different husband.” offi cials for the dog tags turned up noth- Gerald’s condition improved so that in ing. November 1944 he was released from the At that point the soldier known as Ger- VA hospital to Melba’s care. At the same Memphis and Hot Springs ald Jackson ceased to exist. The Army time he was discharged from the Army. 6 Days April 25-30, 2020 had a seriously ill soldier to care for with Gerald and Melba moved into their Guided Memphis City Tour, Sun Studios, Graceland, Bathhouse Row, Garvan Gardens and more... no name. own home. Melba continued working at $1195 Per Person double occ. 6 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners Believing the soldier had suffered a the factory while Gerald slowly recuper- Reservation & fi nal payment due Feb. 20, 2020 nervous breakdown, medical offi cials ated and resumed farming. They became Mississippi Riverboat Cruise/ packed his body with ice while strap- parents to a daughter. Over the years, American Pickers/ Field of Dreams ping him in a straitjacket. When he was Gerald suffered from malaria attacks. He 5 Days July 6-10, 2020 able to travel, the military returned him died in 1989. Riverboat Twilight for 2 days with overnight at to the United States for intense medical Melba credits her church, Zion United Grand Harbor Resort 6 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 3 Dinners and more... care, fi rst to a hospital in California, then Brethren Church in Huntington, and $1059 Per Person double occ. Kentucky. the local community for providing sup- Reservation & fi nal payment due May 15, 2020 As the Army had no way of identifying port to her family during the challenges $200 deposit per person is due at the time of reservation the soldier, offi cials could not contact his with Gerald’s health. “I could not have JOIN US! next of kin to relay his developments. gotten through it without them and my We Invite You to Call and Ask The staff relayed one unusual fact about own faith that Gerald would come home to be Put on Our Mailing List. For more information the patient they now knew as Gerald alive,” she said. or to reserve your seat: [email protected] Tom & Stacy Kellam Jackson. Although he didn’t speak much, Call Stacy @ 260.228.0365 or www.kellamroadtrips.com he did talk about one person — Adolf Hitler. This seemed odd as Gerald’s the- ater of operation had been in the Pacifi c, ATTENTION: not Europe. Regardless of his mental state, Melba Medicare Beneficiaries loved her husband and wanted him home. During the next few days, she and Georgia visited Gerald often. However, We Represent Most of their presence seemed to agitate him so The Medicare Advantage Plans that the staff had to strap Gerald to his and Part D Prescription Drug Plans bed. a nd Dozens of Medicare Supplement When Gerald developed a fever, pos- Companies sibly as a recurring bout of malaria, his doctor suggested the women return to Which Is Best For You Depends Indiana and allow Gerald to heal on his On Many Factors own. Which I Would Be Happy To Devastated, Melba received assurances Discuss With You from the doctor that her husband would soon be well enough to travel. “They for a FREE No Obligation said he could be admitted to the Veteran’s Appointment Administration (VA) Hospital in Marion, Indiana,” she said. The hospital, about CALL DAN KINTZ at an hour’s drive from Huntington, would be close enough for Melba to visit him 260-728-8888 often. Gerald arrived at the hospital in Marion on May 25, his birthday. “He had no 318 W. Monroe St. uniform or personal items,” said Melba. Decatur “Everything that had belonged to him email: had been lost overseas.” [email protected] With Gerald now close by, Melba visited him each Wednesday after work, Page 24 Senior Living • Winter 2019

More to Mounds rapids far below before they came into Continued from page 22 view through the trees, made for some shining ladies’ tresses orchid. extremely satisfying hiking. We drove around the park but couldn’t We never did fi nd that darn fen, but fi nd any signs — not even of the “keep we saw several seeps and springs along out” variety — identifying where the the trail, along with the remnants of an fen might be located. So we decided artesian well, an artifact from the era to walk the trail that led to the Great when this land was an amusement park. Mound, one of fi ve that appear on the According to the Mounds State Park park map. Interpretative Master Plan, which I later I can see now why my childhood self found online, a kiddie train once circled was unimpressed. Though as an adult the Great Mound and chugged past a I can appreciate the diffi culty of build- merry-go-round, a skating rink and a ing a uniform circle, a quarter-mile wooden roller coaster called Leap the in circumference, with openings that Dips. mark astronomical events, the ordinary In 1909, more than 20,000 people grass and trees that now cover it makes came to the amusement park to watch a it seem overly familiar for something reenactment of an Indian battle. built 2,000 years ago. We didn’t see any sign on our hike of You defi nitely have to slip on your the many caves, some once fi lled with history goggles and crank up your artifacts, that permeate the riverbank. imagination to picture the people arche- Most were dynamited shut in the 1920s ologists call the Adena — and later, the for safety reasons after a concession- Hopewell, who may or may not have aire’s daughter got lost in one. been ancestors of the Miami — per- I have a feeling we’ll be heading back forming ceremonies here. to Mounds State Park soon, maybe on With a limited amount of daylight re- Dec. 14 for the Pioneer Christmas Cel- maining, we decided to explore the trail ebration at the Historic Bronnenberg that led to the White River. Walking the Home, named for the family that once Stairs make a trail at Mounds State Park bluffs high above the river, hearing the owned this land. easier to climb. (Photo by Bob Caylor) Don’t Just See the Diff erence Experience the Diff erence

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While in Anderson to visit Mounds State Park, an Apple Cider Old Fashioned and a flatbread pizza might hit the spot at Oakley Brothers Extended Distillery. (Photos by Bob Caylor) Holiday Hours! Maybe the park should be named for Adena or Hopewell State Park would them, since they had the foresight to be even more ﬁ tting. Any of the above avoid looting and leveling the mounds beats “Mounds.” But whatever you call when they cleared the land, which is it, there’s far more to this park than what happened to so many similar meets the eye. (260)824-9643 structures throughout the Midwest. The writer, a Wells County resident, can be 2155 N. Main St., Bluff ton Mon.-Fri. 9:30-6; Sat. 9:30-3 reached at [email protected]. www.daniels-jewelers.net how will you be remembered?

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ŶŚĂŶĐŝŶŐĂŶĚƌĞƐƚŽƌŝŶŐǁŚĂƚǁĞůŽǀĞŝŶtĞůůƐŽƵŶƚǇ͗tŚŝĐŬĞƌWĂƌŬ͕KƐƐŝĂŶŽŐWĂƌŬ͕>ŽŐĂďŝŶ͕ZŝǀĞƌ'ƌĞĞŶǁĂǇ͕ĂŶĚ&ŝƌĞdŽǁĞƌ͘ Page 26 Senior Living • Winter 2019 A decade in the works By Bob Caylor

Dave Aker of Bluffton isn’t one of those classic-car buffs who see old cars as masterpieces to restore just as they rolled off the assembly line and then preserve. For him a vintage automobile provides inspiration — and a starting point. That’s certainly the case with Aker’s 1940 Pontiac. Aker, 70, began looking for a project as CClassiclassic he approached retirement CCarar from Frank- lin Electric CornerCorner (and, later in his 34 years there, Bluffton Motor Works). Years before, he had partially restored a 1954 Ford pickup. One mark of an antique car is a trunk big enough to pitch a tent inside. Dave Aker of “I got it done to the point of primer, and Bluffton has won a number of trophies at area car shows the past few years with his I’d redone the interior,” he said. “Then “reborn” 1940 Pontiac. (Photos by Bob Caylor) our oldest son started college, and I sold it. That was the end of that project,” he He wasn’t sure the 454 that came said. with the Pontiac would even run, and He started hunting for a project car it didn’t have a carburetor. He pulled An early that would catch his eye and motivate and sold both that engine and transmis- emblem for Pontiac, used him. After a wide search online, he sion and replaced it with an all-Pontiac before the found it relatively nearby, in Frankton, drivetrain a generation or two newer familiar styl- a town about the size of Warren, located than the car: a 326-cubic-inch engine ized arrow- 20 miles west of Muncie. from a 1965 LeMans, paired with an head adopted Project car? Check. It was gutted — automatic transmission from a late- in the 1950s. but the body itself was intact and gen- 1960s, hooked to a rear end from a erally sound. “It seemed pretty solid,” 1978 Trans Am. Aker said. “It had no interior in it.” The The body took some work. He needed now includes power steering and disc body’s worst shortcoming was that the to replace the fl oor of the trunk. The brakes. He found a replacement dash- housings for both of its headlights had bottoms of the doors were rusted, and board in a 1968 Corvair, cut a bit from been lopped off. The previous owner he ended up replacing the doors en- both ends of the dashboard and fi t it had dropped in a 454-cubic-inch engine tirely. Although the body stayed true to inside the Pontiac. and a transmission from a much later the look of a 1940 Pontiac, beneath the Throughout the rebirth of this car model Chevrolet, so its drivetrain was skin, it’s a hybrid. The frame ahead of years older than he is, Aker coordinated anything but stock. the fi rewall is from 1978 Nova. The car closely with his son. Rodney rebuilt the Although the 1940 Pontiac is the fi rst classic he restored, he thinks his father’s work on cars planted the bug in him. “He’d actually taken fi ve cars, cut the roofs and the trunks out of them, No Dental Insurance? No Problem! made pickups out of them, and sold We Now Offer Quality Dental Plan them,” he remembered. “He could cut, weld, refabricate, fi x about anything.” t4BWF)VOESFET"OOVBMMZ t/P)JEEFO'FFT Putting the Pontiac on the road took the better part of 10 years, and it was t/P.POUIMZ1SFNJVNT t"òPSEBCMF&BTZ a team effort with Rodney, one of his t/P#FOFöU-JNJUBUJPOT sons. Rodney, who lives near Delphos, Dr. Blake Dr. Molly Ohio, and whose day job is designing Taylor Meyer Sigler molds to make plastic components for RPh. DMD DDS medical devices, enjoys restoring cars for friends on the side. #MVíUPOr%FDBUVSrXXX3JWFSTUPOF%FOUBMOFU Senior Living • Winter 2019 Page 27 engine, and fi tted the Pontiac with new motor mounts. Aker bought all new suspension components, and he and Rodney again worked together installing them. His son did the eye-grabbing paint job, and Aker did the interior — front buckets, rear seat, center console, all lifted from a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. There were other hurdles to clear before his vintage Pontiac took the road. But he remained confi dent that he would fi nd solutions. “I knew I could do it, with the help of my son,” Aker said. “I’ve helped him on his cars before, and I helped my dad with his cars.” This father-and-son project has been on the road for about three years, and Dave and his wife, Linda, have discovered the fun of taking their transformed Pontiac to shows around the region. It’s Dave Aker shows off the 13-year-old interior of his 79-year-old Pontiac. The oil pressure, fair to say he’s still babying the car. temperature and charge gauges in that dash certainly aren’t stock, no more than the “We’ve been out to Bummie’s a cou- Kenwood stereo mounted below them. The dash itself was rescued from a 1968 Corvair, ple of time,” he said. Aker said. Meanwhile, under the hood is a 326 engine from a 1965 Pontiac LeMans. And “Cruising out River Road,” Linda that decidedly 21st-century floor shifter came from a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. adds. “I’ve had it over to my son’s a couple is Gas City, Linda Aker said. But even tion. “He’s won nine trophies,” Linda of times since it was fi nished,” he said. their tentative steps into the world of Aker said. The farthest destination they’ve hit car shows is paying off with recogni- [email protected]

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LOGANSPORT — Sharon and Don Strasser have welcomed hundreds of foreign exchange students into their home from across the globe. The Strassers hosted their fi rst exchange student in 1981 — a boy from Japan — and are currently hosting their 36th and 37th student. But that’s the tip of the iceberg. “We’ve had tons more than that,” said Sharon. “One year we didn’t host, we had 11 kids stay with us during that year during periods of time. I don’t have any idea how many altogether we’ve had come through our home but it’s been a lot.” Their current students are 17-year-old Lassi Hiilinen, who is from Finland, and 18-year-old Daiki Ichihara from Japan. They are both students at Lo- gansport High School. Sharon and Don Strasser attend a reunion with some of the exchange students in Hiilinen has been at the Strassers’ Germany in 2015. (Courtesy Photo) home since the beginning of the school year but Ichihara arrived in the United would consider hosting since they did They had the weekend to prepare. States in mid-October. not have kids of their own. “At fi rst, I thought it was a lot like “I’ve enjoyed watching these two They fi lled out an application and having a visitor,” Sharon said. “You try boys ... when Lassi fi rst got here he was didn’t hear back for a while. One day, to get everything ready, everything had really quiet … and then we got (Daiki) the phone rang. They were asked to to be perfect I thought you know, which and I mean it’s like they work together host a girl from Japan. it doesn’t, they’re a part of your fam- so well, it’s fun to watch the two of “The Japanese girl ended up being the ily for the year. You don’t want them them together,” said Sharon. Japanese boy that we have up there,” to be a guest in your home — not even Sharon said that Ichihara’s English said Don, referring to the wall that for one day. And so then he came and has improved a lot in the two weeks he displays all their past students. “This Don and I looked at each other and we has been here. was on a Friday night and they said he thought, ‘What were we thinking? It They are both interested in sports and would be here on Tuesday and wanted was such a shock to us for a while. It are in the math and science academic to know if we would still take him.” turned out to be the best experience clubs. Most of the exchange students that the Strassers’ have hosted have gone to Logansport High School, except for a WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU, few that started off with host families MATTERS TO US! in the Lewis Cass school district. They Rodney Reimschisel Caleb Lynch Nick Hale wanted to let those students fi nish the school year where they began. We Honor the Council on Aging’s Discount Card! The Strassers’ fi rst got into host- ! 65)16;<v*4=..<7616 d ing exchange students when Don was www.familyfordofbluffton.com approached by one of his coworkers Faith driven values and principles whose brother had just gotten back F A Attitude that encourage courtesy and respect from an exchange in Germany. The M Mission to serve and go beyond the extra mile brother mentioned that they were trying I Identify and hire the best people to fi nd host families. L Lead, so others can follow SERVICE CENTER She asked Don if he and Sharon Y You are family Assisted Living is Now Open Taking Deposits

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Hiilinen was sporting his NASA shirt able to get her parents over here too so from the Kennedy Space Center and she’s got a wonderful life now.” his Deathly Hollows necklace from She was 1 of 2,000 people who ap- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter plied for this scholarship and she won themed area at Universal Studios. They the scholarship. “If she hadn’t won that also went to Clearwater Beach. scholarship, her life would have been CAPRI II While in Florida, they met up with Ju- totally different.” CheckC heck uuss oout!ut!! lia, who is one of the Strassers’ former They also visited a former exchange exchange students from Russia who im- student who was from Sweden while on If you are 55 years of age or migrated to the United States. this trip. older or A person with The Strassers’ paid for Julia to come The Strassers’ did not plan on hosting disabilities, back to the United States on a work exchange students again this year but, We offer ... visa after she graduated. She came back like many years before, “There were twice and worked at Indiana Beach both still students who needed a home and •Em erg en cy P u ll Co rd s•S p a cio u s Livin g times. we still have two empty beds.” •W O W ! W e lls o n W h e e ls•Cable Equipped “Some of our friends had a big bonﬁ re Meanwhile, the couple have had their P u b lic Tra n sp o rta tio n•P e t Frie n d ly and one of their relatives was coming share of heartache when it came to •N u tritio n S ite•Beautiful Grounds up from Florida,” Sharon said. “She growing their own family. Sharon and met the cousin and ended up falling in Don eventually adopted a girl who had •Hair Salon - On Site•Residen t Parties love with him, getting married. When been in foster care and aged out of the •La u n d ry - O n S ite she was living in Russia, she said she system and had no place to go. Applications accepted made more money in the summer than “So she came to live with us and we Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri. her parents would make all year. They ended up adopting her when she was 10 a.m.-5 p.m. lived on $75 a month in Russia. She 22,” Sharon said. “And she had a baby CLOSED Wednesday told me some of the things they had to and then the father of the baby killed Visit Tod a y do over there and it was not good. Now her — strangled her when the baby was 58 Capri Court she’s living in a gated community in three months old. The baby is now 13 Blu ffton , IN Florida beautiful home and a big pool and we have visitation rights for him and everything and they’ve got the best every other weekend.” 26 0-824 -4626 of everything down there. Now she was Story, photos courtesy of The Pharos-Tribune TDD 800-326-9193 #776 Page 32 Senior Living • Winter 2019

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