'Springs' Eternal
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Kindle Cover, $8 In Today’s Classifieds! AND WEEKLY Charlotte Sun HERALD ROARING TO A MAJOR VICTORY JAMES GARNER DIES AT 86 Rory McIlroy holds on to win the British Open and become the The actor was best known for his low-key, wisecracking style, especially third golfer to win three majors by the age of 25. SPORTS PAGE 1 on his hit TV series, “Maverick” and “The Rockford Files.” THE WIRE PAGE 1 An Edition of the Sun VOL. 122 NO. 202 AMERICA’S BEST COMMUNITY DAILY MONDAY JULY 21, 2014 www.sunnewspapers.net $1.00 HACKIN’ AROUND Hope Some regrets ‘A brain erase’ can hit home ‘Springs’ recently read a story somewhere eternal about regrets. I don’t recall the details or even the I By IAN ROSS context, except it was about how most people in their lives STAFF WRITER have regrets. Most of us prob- NORTH PORT — As the Warm ably would have Mineral Springs Day Spa’s manage- done something ment contract nears the end of its different, if we’re term, city staff are working to prevent honest. its closure. The number “We’re still working on trying to one regret was not make it happen so that the Springs saving more money doesn’t close,” said North Port City for retirement. Manager Jonathan Lewis. John I can really The Springs is set to close again relate to that one. Aug. 31 because the city and Sarasota HACKWORTH I may be working County, joint owners of the 81- EDITOR another 10 years acre property and its 87-degree, (hope that’s OK, boss?). mineral-rich lake, couldn’t agree on a Another key regret was not spending long-term operator to take over after more time with family. That’s another the current short-term management one I can relate to with a daughter in contract ends Aug. 30. Virginia and a son in California. Two of The county is bound by state law our kids live here, though, and Debra to go through a lengthy procurement and I are thankful for that. process in order to select a Springs One regret I have is not kissing Becky operator, but if the city was the sole Stadler in the haunted house when I owner of the day spa, it would have was 14. more flexibility in establishing a new But, when I think of family and management contract quickly. Taking regrets, I think a lot about my sister who up an offer from the county, the city is in a nursing home in West Virginia, is in the process of buying out the county’s interest in the Springs for about eight years after being diagnosed SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH with Alzheimer’s. $2.75 million — the original amount A study, “Caregiving in the U.S. Seniors at the Sterling House of Englewood create words from a big word posted on the it paid in 2010 for half ownership — 2009,” from the National Alliance for screen. The word game helps seniors with their memory and keeps the brain active. plus closing costs. Caregiving and AARP, says 65.7 million Researchers say puzzles and word games are helpful in fighting memory loss. Though North Port city commis- unpaid family members (29 percent of sioners had hoped to get approval the U.S. adult population) are caregiv- to extend the Springs’ current ers to an adult or child. And more than management contract as part of 36.5 million households (31 percent) What to do when the the sale — a move that could keep have a caregiver in it, according to a the Springs open — a memo from column by Stephen Goldstein. County Attorney Stephen DeMarsh, Caregivers say that the top two dated Wednesday, said granting that reasons they needed to give care were brain begins to lose approval would be illegal. their relative’s old age and Alzheimer’s “The County cannot be party to or dementia. any extension on the short-term We editorialized recently about operating agreement under Section Florida’s poor performance in address- people, places, things 125.35, Florida Statutes,” he wrote. ing the needs of its older population The County Commission is in — despite its reputation as the place to recess until Aug. 20, allowing the city only 11 days to close a sale after the retire. By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH death of nerve cells and tissue loss The AARP ranks our state 43rd in the County Commission can take action COMMUNITY NEWS EDITOR throughout the brain. Over time, the nation for long-term services and support on the city’s offer. Per municipal law, for older adults. In other words, if you don’t brain shrinks dramatically, affecting the city will have to commission two ENGLEWOOD — Brenda Peckman nearly all of its functions. The cortex have kids who will care for you, the chance calls what her mother has a “brain erase.” you can live outside a nursing home in shrivels up, damaging areas involved SPRINGS | 6 Like the movie “The Notebook,” in in thinking, planning and remember- Florida is slim. which the elderly woman Allie Hamilton But, that’s another story. ing. Shrinkage impacts an area of the sometimes doesn’t recognize her cortex that plays a key role in forma- Today, I’m thinking about my sister and husband, Peckman accepts the fact that the sad end coming to her life. tion of new memories. her mother doesn’t know who she is They say you will never know true love Peckman plans to share her story until you change the diaper of your mom anymore. about living with Alzheimer’s on or dad or deal with the realization they no Peckman knows her mom’s disease Aug. 12 at a two-hour seminar titled longer know who you are. causes her to forget to eat, which is “Moment to Moment: The Alzheimer’s Every time I visited my hometown in why her mother now weighs barely Caregiver Journey” at the Englewood West Virginia, I always went to the nursing 70 pounds. Cape Haze Chamber of Commerce, home and visited her. My wife would trim “When my mother passes away, 601 S. Indiana Ave. her nails and brush her hair. the doctor will likely put she died of The program is presented by The We’d show her photos of all of us togeth- natural causes,” Peckman said. “Her Sterling House of Englewood, an er in happier times. Before she became so real cause of death should be classified assisted living community, where SUN FILE PHOTO frail, we even checked her out and took as complications from Alzheimer’s. Peckman is the sales manager. She North Port and Sarasota County contracted her to the old neighborhood or to see the “Alzheimer’s is like a brain erase,” sees residents who have early stages of fall leaves changing colors. The first couple a short-term operator to keep Warm Mineral she said. “The disease is in the brain. Alzheimer’s but can still live on their Springs open for swimming only until the of years she knew where she was and who The brain forgets to send messages to own at the facility. we were — most of the time anyway. end of August. Although the city is now get nutrients. So the person doesn’t Peckman explains Alzheimer’s as But, more recently, those details have in the process of buying out the county’s eat. They lose weight and in some erasing the memory backward. interest in the Springs, it’s set to close again been erased from her mind. “Some people with the disease will We can talk until we’re exhausted and all cases, a lot of weight.” Aug. 31 because the two boards couldn’t we get is a blank stare. Doctors are amazed Alzheimer’s disease causes the BRAIN | 6 agree on a long-term operator. she is still so healthy. Of course, health is a matter of perspective. But her heart, lungs (despite years of smoking) and major organs function very well. The last trip home, I stayed pretty busy Murdock Verizon store burglarized attending my niece’s wedding, hanging out By PAUL FALLON “There was extensive damage done working with the Verizon security with the grandkids and basically enjoying TAFF RITER to the store,” he said. department. a family reunion. S W I didn’t make it to the nursing home, Items and an undisclosed amount As of Sunday afternoon, there were even though I had some free time one MURDOCK — Charlotte County of cash were taken from the store, no suspects. morning. Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a bur- Ellinwood said. “We’re still really early into the I fell into the trap of those who say glary and theft at a Verizon Wireless store. It is early in the investigation and investigation,” Ellinwood said. “What’s the use? She doesn’t know you. Employees at the Verizon located authorities are unsure exactly how the Ellinwood also called the breaking She’s not the person you know.” at the corner of U.S. 41 and Cochran perpetrator or perpetrators entered the and entering an “isolated incident.” But, I know her. And I can’t help but Boulevard discovered that the store building, he said. Numerous windows He is asking that anyone with any think maybe, just for a second, she knows had been burglarized when they and doors were broken, Ellinwood information about the incident to us. arrived for work late Sunday morn- added. contact the Sheriff’s Office at 941- John Hackworth is editor of the Sun ing, said Lt.