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That’s when it hit us that we were sur- actual report and read the fine print on veying the wrong audience. If we were “methodology.” Turns out, the survey was Yes, another survey concerned that some people were not pick- offered online exclusively, and it took ap- You may have noticed in last month’s please fill out each survey only once.) ing up the Beacon because the name “se- proximately 15 minutes to complete. issue of Fifty Plus a full-page survey form, Putting together these two important nior” put them off, then why were we ask- If you’re trying to find tech-savvy peo- where we asked you to let us surveys has reminded me of ing the readers who very happily picked ple, it makes sense to look for them online. know how the coronavirus other surveys we have run up the Senior Beacon every month what But if you’re truly trying to learn what per- and our locked-down, socially over the years in our publica- we should change our name to? cent of Americans over 50 are comfortable distanced way of life are treat- tions. One in particular sticks It was non-readers we needed to survey. using technology, I think you’d get a truer ing you. in my memory. Duh! picture if you also surveyed people who I’m pleased to say we are The sister publication of In our defense, I will say that we sur- never or seldom go online, who would be getting a tremendous re- Fifty Plus in the Washington, veyed the audience that we had, not the unlikely to learn about a survey done on- sponse to this survey, with D.C. area was named Senior one we didn’t have. That was the easiest line, or would not be comfortable filling hundreds returning the page Beacon at its inception in thing to do, of course, even though in ret- out a 15-minute survey online. from our April edition or tak- 1988. In the early 2000s, we rospect it made no sense. But we learned By completely omitting all those people ing the survey online, and decided that the time had our lesson. from the survey base, they certainly got dozens more are coming in FROM THE come to drop the “senior” As a result, I am sensitive to this prob- results they could crow about, but they every day. PUBLISHER from our name because we lem with surveys, and I found it amusing don’t paint a very accurate portrayal of We can already tell that the By Stuart P. Rosenthal believed that many who recently when I saw that a national mem- technology use. results will be very interest- would have found our publi- bership organization of people over 50 ap- At any rate, we are making no mistake ing, and I will be sharing highlights from cation helpful were reluctant to pick up peared to make a similar mistake in con- in both printing this month’s new survey the survey with you in an upcoming issue. anything with that label in the title. ducting a recent survey. on page 5 of this issue and offering an op- (Note: The survey runs through May 29, So, we ran a full-page survey one month This organization periodically asks its portunity to complete it online as well (go so if you haven’t yet submitted yours, telling readers we were looking for a new members about the technologies they are to bit.ly/tbns2020). please go to our website at fiftyplusrich- name and asking for their vote on several comfortable using. Apparently, one of the Many thanks for reading Fifty Plus and mond.com and click on the “Attention possibilities, as well as their own sugges- chief goals of this survey is to show the for helping us with both our surveys. I Readers” banner. You may also access the tions. rest of the world (and potential business look forward to sharing results with you survey directly at this web address: Many of the respondents voted for one partners and advertisers) that people over soon. bit.ly/tbns2020.) or more of the suggestions we offered (my 50 are highly “tech-savvy.” Stay well and take care. But what about the survey on page 5 of personal favorite was “Healthy, Wealthy The organization crowed in a press re- NOTE: If you would like to receive this issue, you ask? Yes, that is another and Wise”), and a number proffered their lease about the most recent results, as they the Fifty Plus FREE via email each survey we would like you to complete! And own new name (ranging from serious pro- “found that 83% use mobile phones...and month, or if you’d like to subscribe to as an incentive, we will be having a second posals to tongue-in-cheek names like more than half (52%) own a tablet. Accord- the print edition at half price ($6/year random drawing for $200 cash from “Geezer Gazette”). ing to the survey, older adults are adopting + tax), please call our office at (804) among the completed surveys, just as we But to our surprise, the vast majority devices such as smartphones, wearables, 673-5203. are doing for the coronavirus survey re- voted to retain the name “Senior Beacon,” home assistants/smart speakers and smart- spondents. a number of them taking umbrage at the home technology at nearly the same rate as So, if you complete and return both sur- thought that we would even consider adults ages 18 to 49.” veys, you have two chances to win. (But changing it to appease younger readers. All well and good, until you turn to the Letters to the editor

Readers are encouraged to share their opinion on any matter a publication of The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. addressed in Fifty Plus as well as on political and social issues of the day. Editorial Mission: Fifty Plus is dedicated to providing readers with accurate Mail your Letter to the Editor to Fifty Plus, P.O. Box 2227, information, professional guidance, and useful resources. Our publication is intended to both reflect and enhance fifty-plus lifestyles, and to encourage Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email to [email protected]. reader dialogue and input. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Fifty Plus is published monthly and distributed free of charge. The advertising deadline is the 20th of each month for the upcoming issue. The entire con- Dear Editor: will do nothing to stop violence. We have Fifty Plus tents of are ©2020, The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. No portion may Politicians favoring [gun control] laws laws against murder now, and these laws be reproduced in whole or in part by any means without the express written claim their opponents “refuse to pass com- do not stop violent acts. consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed by writers and mon-sense laws and do the will of the peo- Similarly, there are the “background columnists do not necessarily represent those of Fifty Plus or ple.” We need to define some “hot button” checks.” Experience shows that “back- its staff. terminology and have a rational discussion ground checks” do not work. Remember Publisher/Editor — Stuart Rosenthal to reach a solid and sensible decision. the Virginia Tech murders? The attacker President /Associate Publisher — Judith K. Rosenthal First, there is the “assault weapon” label. passed two background checks to pur- Vice President, Operations — Gordon Hasenei What constitutes an “assault weapon?” Can chase two handguns (NOT “assault ri- it be a specific model of a firearm, as I have fles”), which he used to murder more than Vice President, Sales and Marketing — Alan Spiegel heard some people claim? One nice lady 30 innocent victims when he should have Managing Editor — Margaret Foster sincerely insisted that the very popular been on the ineligible list in the National Art Director — Kyle Gregory AR/15 rifle and its variants could never be Criminal Information Center. Director of Operations — Roger King adapted for hunting and could only be used We need to try enforcing existing laws Editorial Assistant — Ivey Noojin for murdering lots of people. A mutual and avoid disarming law-abiding citizens. Advertising Representative — Lisa Benton-Hawkins friend explained to her that AR/15’s are Try arresting criminals and convicting the most popular type of game-hunting ri- them, and promptly. Then send them to se- Fifty Plus Richmond • P.O. Box 2227 • Silver Spring, MD 20915 fles in North America today. rious prison time for violence. Criminals PH: 804-673-5203 • [email protected] Then, there is the criminal mindset. are not really affected by more laws. Criminals ignore laws that are inconven- C. S. “Kess” Kessler © Copyright 2020 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc. ient. Given that, additional laws of any kind Henrico County FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com 3 Cover Story

Feed More delivers much more than food By Glenda C. Booth cations a month on average. PHOTO BY FEED MORE Every week, a tractor-trailer full of Per- “Everyone’s stepped up. It’s incredible due frozen chickens arrives at Feed More to see the best in our community, people headquarters near the Diamond. really coming together,” Hickey said. “We’re the chicken food bank on the Of course, drivers have had adjust the East Coast,” quipped Doug Pick, Feed way they deliver food. With the Meals on More’s chief executive officer, adding, Wheels program, for instance, instead of “and I get a tractor-trailer load of fresh pro- making daily deliveries on weekdays, they duce per week.” deliver a box of five to 10 frozen meals Thanks to these truck deliveries and once a week, being especially careful to other donations, Feed More typically pre- execute a “no-contact” delivery. pares and delivers 3,500 meals a day, or 20,000 a week. Last year, they delivered 30 Meals from scratch, pet food million pounds of food. As Pick put it, “We Feed More receives food donations do food logistics with a heart.” from corporate, church and other food One in eight central Virginians strug- drives; grocery stores; bakeries; corporate gles with hunger. As one of the largest donors; farmers and others. Functioning food banks in the state, Feed More col- as a wholesaler and distributor, the non- lects, prepares and distributes food and profit networks with 300 organizations — meals across 34 cities and counties, serv- such as soup kitchens, churches, the Sal- ing nearly 200,000 people, of whom 50,000 vation Army and food pantries — who are children. “grocery shop” at Feed More. “In a country of this wealth, like ours, no Its “mobile pantry” takes food to under- person should go hungry. Everyone served communities with limited grocery should be eating,” said Pick, a former bank stores or healthy food options. They even executive who last year was honored as a provide pet food. Richmond person of the year. At Feed More’s 92,000-square-foot main During the coronavirus pandemic, re- campus, a former tobacco warehouse is quests for help have almost doubled, and used for storage, offices, a temperature- Feed More is stepping up its efforts. controlled cooler and a state-of-the-art “While the future may seem uncertain, kitchen. one thing is not,” Pick said. “We will con- Every weekday, employees and around tinue to be here for our neighbors when 40 volunteers prepare fresh-from-scratch they need us most.” meals for Meals on Wheels clients, mostly homebound people and people with dis- Every day, more than 200 volunteers at Feed More prepare and distribute fresh Rising to the challenge abilities. Many are elderly, socially isolat- meals for homebound adults throughout Central Virginia. During the coronavirus cri- The worldwide coronavirus pandemic ed and unable to shop or cook. sis, volunteers wear masks and gloves and keep their distance from others. has put the food bank to the test. Gov. “Meals are the highlight of their day,” Ralph Northam designated charitable food Pick said. networks as essential services, so Feed ✃ More is even busier than usual. Most volunteers are retirees In March, when emergency food assis- Volunteers are the backbone of the or- MAIL OR FAX FOR tance requests escalated, they connected ganization, and 85% of them are over age 679 new individuals to a network partner, a 50 and retired. As a group they work FREE INFORMATION 60% jump over February and 84% over Jan- 150,000 hours a year, preparing and pack- For free materials on housing communities and uary. aging food, organizing delivery routes and real estate services, just complete and clip this With schools closed during the out- loading boxes into vehicles. coupon and mail or fax it to Fifty Plus. break, Feed More isn’t preparing after- “We provide the infrastructure for neigh- school meals, but their kitchen still pro- bors to help neighbors,” Pick said. “It ❏ David Mize Real Estate (see ad on page 7) duces 2,400 meals each weekday for the makes everyone feel good and take pride ❏ Dominion Place (see ad on page 7) clients of Meals on Wheels, a national net- in the fact that, with Feed More, you can ❏ Guardian Place (see ad on page 13) work that delivers nutritious meals to look locally to feel good.” those in need who cannot leave their One volunteer, Jack Howe, a retired ❏ Sandston Plateau (see ad on page 6) homes. school district superintendent, brings 15 Name______Feed More’s food supply chain is strong. to 30 backpacks to Richmond middle- More than 80% of their affiliated agencies school children on Thursdays to take Address______are open and serving those in need. home for the weekend. City______State______Zip______“We are very fortunate,” said Jessica Before the pandemic, Feed More deliv- Phone (day)______(evening)______Hickey, marketing and communications ered 2,000 weekend “backpacks” contain- Please provide your e-mail address if you would like to receive manager, referring to continuous dona- ing six meals for youngsters. In the sum- monthly links to the Fifty Plus online and occasional notices tions, including perishable products from mer, Feed More provides breakfast and of events and programs of interest. shuttered restaurants. lunch at 50 sites for students who get free Email______When they put out an early March call or reduced lunches at school.

Please tear out and mail this form to: FP5/20 for volunteers, more than 600 people re- Howe also delivers Meals on Wheels to Fifty Plus, c/o The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, sponded. In more normal times, Feed Silver Spring, MD 20915-2227 or fax to (804) 673-5308 More receives 200 to 300 volunteer appli- See FEED MORE, page 24 4 Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS

WORDS FROM THE WISE From the polio epidemic to WWII, many have been through hard times before Fitness & FRIENDS IN FARAWAY PLACES Social distancing can be difficult. Here are a few ideas to spice up your routine

HELP OTHERS FROM HOME Grab your computer and help out as a volunteer from home for the Library of Congress, the National Weather Health Service and others Restoring visual perception to the blind Courtesy of UCLA Health rosurgeon at UCLA Health and principal oncoming car’s headlights at night. Nearly 39 million people worldwide are Although he is blind, Jason Esterhuizen is investigator of the five-year study. Six people have received the implant: the legally blind. Because the Orion, devel- able to walk on the sidewalk, thanks to an ex- “It helps them recognize, for example, first three at UCLA Health, two at Baylor oped and marketed by Second Sight Med- perimental brain implant that enables him to where a doorway is, where the sidewalk be- College of Medicine, and the sixth at UCLA. ical Products, directly stimulates the visual distinguish light areas from dark. gins or ends, or where the crosswalk is. Recipients have expressed delight at once cortex, it can help people like Esterhuizen Seven years ago, Esterhuizen was in a car These are all extremely meaningful events again being able to enjoy fireworks and who have suffered damage to their retinas crash that destroyed his eyes, plunging him that can help improve people’s quality of life.” blow out candles on a birthday cake. and optic nerves. into total darkness. Today, he’s regained vi- “It’s still a blast every time I turn it on,” Esterhuizen, an upbeat athlete and sual perception and more independence, A breakthrough device Esterhuizen said. “After seeing absolutely adrenaline junkie who skydives, bungee thanks to an experimental device implanted Designated by the U.S. Food and Drug nothing to all of a sudden seeing little flick- jumps and recently competed with his in his brain by researchers at UCLA Health. Administration as a “breakthrough device,” ers of light move around and figuring out team in the 2019 World Series for “beep “Now I can do things that I couldn’t do the system wirelessly converts images cap- that they mean something. It’s just amazing baseball” — a form of America’s pastime before,” said Esterhuizen, 30, who moved tured by a tiny video camera mounted on to have some form of functional vision for people who are visually impaired — from his native South Africa to participate sunglasses into a series of electrical pulses. again.” credits his accident and the device for in the clinical trial at UCLA. The pulses stimulate a set of 60 electrodes changing his life in countless ways. “I can sort the laundry, find my way in implanted on top of the brain’s visual cor- May help glaucoma patients, “The day of my car accident, I was 23 lighted hallways without using a cane and tex, which perceives patterns of light and others and studying to become an airline pilot,” cross the street more safely. It’s making interprets them as visual clues. The implant currently stimulates the left he wrote in his blog. “Life didn’t end there; my life much easier.” “I’ll see little white dots on a black back- side of the patient’s brain. As a result, they it just changed for the better. I would not The device is geared toward people who ground, like looking up at the stars at perceive visual cues only from their right- have met the love of my life.” used to be able to see but lost their vision night,” said Esterhuizen, the world’s sec- side field of vision. Ultimately, the goal is The couple will celebrate their first wed- to injury or disease. While it doesn’t pro- ond research subject to receive the device, to implant both sides of the brain to recov- ding anniversary in September. vide normal sight, it enhances users’ abili- which is called Orion. er a full field of vision. “Normally when my wife is mad at me, ty to navigate the world by restoring their “As a person walks toward me, I might “This device has the potential to restore she’ll be quiet, and I’ll be like, ‘Where are you? capacity to detect movement and distin- see three little dots. As they move closer to useful vision to patients blinded by glauco- I want to speak to you,’” he said. “Now I can guish light and dark. me, more and more dots light up.” ma, diabetic retinopathy, cancer and trau- find her. She can’t hide from me anymore.” “This is the first time we’ve had a com- Along with the glasses, the system also ma,” Pouratian said. With research sub- A Wellness Update is a magazine devoted pletely implantable device that people can includes a belt equipped with a button, jects’ input, he and his colleagues hope to to up-to-the minute information on health is- use in their own homes without having to which patients can press to amplify dark one day adapt the device to also assist peo- sues. Online at awellnessupdate.com. be plugged into an external device,” objects in the sun, and press again to visu- ple who were born blind or have low vi- © 2020 www.awellnessupdate.com. Dis- said Nader Pouratian, M.D., Ph.D., a neu- alize light objects in the dark, such as an sion. tributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Is it my usual hay fever allergy or COVID? By Michael Rubinkam Przywara, who manages an online commu- like Convocar, may be at higher risk of se- dow of her home office, where her cher- The spring breezes of 2020 are carrying nity of allergy sufferers for the Asthma vere illness from COVID-19. ry tree is blooming. Spring came early, more than just tree pollen. There’s a whiff and Allergy Foundation of America. “I consider it as something that could she said, and lots of people are coughing of paranoia in the air. kill me because of COVID-19 floating and sneezing from the pollen. For seasonal allergy sufferers, the annu- Symptoms differ around,” Convocar wrote via email. With a “You do what you have to do: You take al onset of watery eyes and scratchy Never mind the differing symptoms — family member still traveling to work your meds for allergies and stay away from throats is bumping up against the global that sneezing and runny nose, hallmarks of every day, she said, “I don’t know what he people,” Smelser said. “People get really spread of the new virus that produces its hay fever, are not typically associated with got out there.” hinky about coughing right now.” own constellation of respiratory symptoms. COVID-19, which commonly produces Many garden-variety hay fever suffer- Forecasters predicted a brutal spring al- coughing, fever and, in more serious cases, ers, of whom there are about 19 million No test to prove it’s allergies lergy season for swaths of the U.S., which shortness of breath. Never mind that aller- adults in the U.S., are also on alert. Though she’s had allergies for years, hit at the same time that COVID-19 cases gies don’t cause fevers. Allergy sufferers They’re taking their temperatures each Smelser, a semi-retired social worker and started rising dramatically. fret that there’s just enough overlap to day, just in case. They’re hiding their community college teacher, admits to That’s causing angst for people who make them nervous. sneezes and sniffles from suspicious being a touch paranoid. She takes her tem- never have had to particularly worry about Allergy season is already underway in neighbors and grossed-out grocery shop- perature every day because she’s 66 and, their hay fever, other than to stock up on Oceanside, California, where Ampie Con- pers. They’re commiserating with each well, you can never be too careful. antihistamines, decongestants and tissues. vocar is dealing with a runny nose, sinus other and sharing memes on social media “I can’t rule out that I have anything,” Now they’re asking: Are these my aller- pain, headache and an urge to sneeze. Last (“I don’t know if I should buy Zyrtec or she said. “That’s the paranoia: You can’t gies? Or something more sinister? year, she would’ve considered her symp- turn myself in to the CDC”). even get a test to say, ‘This is all seasonal “Everyone is sort of analyzing every toms mere annoyance. Now they cause Pamela Smelser is reminded of allergy allergies.’” sneeze and cough right now,” said Kathy tremendous anxiety. People with asthma, season every time she looks out the win- —AP FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health 5 ATTN: Readers —

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6 Fitness & Health | Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS Older adults remember earlier hard times By Lindsey Tanner Brown takes the small changes in her theaters were closed and families kept tive, being confined to home and reliant on One person remembers the polio epi- lifestyle in stride, and is still going strong — children close to avoid that virus. So far, others for groceries and basic needs can demic and the hardships of World War II. at least, “that’s what everybody says,” Brown she said, it’s not all that different from be disempowering. Family members can One is stoic about it all because, he said, said with a laugh. “As long as I stay in here, I growing up in Buffalo, New York, when help by talking about health risks and the he’s already “here past [his] welcome.” A don’t worry about catching it,” she said. blizzards often brought life to a halt. need for social distancing. third, old enough to remember the after- math of the 1918 flu epidemic, turns to her Reminded of rationing Staying connected Some have seen it all faith in challenging times. Many older Americans say they’ve seen The key is to maintain some kind of con- Helen Anstead, 106, isn’t fazed by the For older Americans, some of the people hard times before. “This kind of thing is not nection, said the Rev. Michael Pfleger, 70, COVID-19 pandemic because, she said, most likely to be negatively affected by the new for us older people,” said Mimi Allison, a charismatic Chicago priest who normally she has pretty much seen it all. Anstead coronavirus pandemic, these unusual days the former director of the National Muse- feeds off the energy of parishioners but was 5 when influenza swept the planet in and the social distancing that they bring are um of Dance, who turned 90 recently. now faces empty pews. His parish in a 1918. “I just felt the fear that the elders had rippling out in varied and nuanced ways. She lives with one of her daughters and a struggling South Side neighborhood in- when they talked about it,” she said. Easter Brown, 77, works with a Wash- teenage grandson in Asheville, North Car- cludes many adults his age and older who The retired teacher lives by herself on a ington, D.C., group that provides gro- olina, and said the main inconvenience of are sequestered in their homes. farm in rural northeast Michigan where ceries, medicine and other services to social distancing is not getting to celebrate He has turned to live-streaming mass on her son raises beef cattle. COVID-19 older inner-city residents. But it’s pollen her birthday with other family members, in- Sundays. Instead of handshakes and em- hasn’t reached her county yet. season, and she has asthma, making her cluding her two great-grandchildren. braces, he’s urging phone calls, especially Anstead mostly stays indoors, pays atten- more vulnerable to coronavirus. “I think we’re not as stressed as some for seniors without internet access or smart- tion to the news but doesn’t worry about So, on doctor’s orders, she has stopped of the younger people,” Allison said. “We phones. getting sick. Raised in a church-going fami- making deliveries. She has also stopped know that we’re all going to come out of “It’s so important to stay connected ly, she said she relies on her faith and walking outside for exercise and instead it. Well, some of us won’t, but most of us right now because what depression does watches mass on TV every day. “When strolls her apartment building’s hallways will, and we’re all going to be better off with people is have them turn into them- you’re isolated, you reach for spiritual for 35 minutes each day. for it.” selves and close their world,” Pfleger said. help,” she said, “and it works for me.” Her daughter and grandson live in the Allison said she’s reminded of the ra- Mental health experts agree. Almost In New Hampshire, Pete Thomas lives building, so she doesn’t feel isolated. tioning in World War II and the polio epi- one in three older adults live alone, and by himself. “At 88, I am sort of here past the Crossword puzzles, studying the Bible, demic that sickened her brother in the many have chronic health problems. welcome, as the saying goes,” Thomas cooking and watching TV keep her busy. 1940s, when swimming pools and movie Those factors make them vulnerable to said. “It will be what it is, and you deal with loneliness and depression; suicide rates it as you will. I see no point in getting my- among those aged 75 and older are among self concerned about something I have no Please patronize our advertisers. the highest in the nation. control over.” For those accustomed to being more ac- —AP FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health 7 Five ways to be social from a distance By Judy Holland with another couple on your tablet or com- resilient and having a better sense of what been published in the Washington Post, Social distancing and stay-at-home or- puter. But don’t make small talk. Talk about really matters. They learn to appreciate life Boston Globe, Houston Chronicle, San Fran- ders are taking a toll on the human psyche real concerns. more and sense subtler vibrations. cisco Examiner and Washingtonian maga- and fueling the loneliness epidemic that Getting together with others over a This is a stressful time. But with the zine. Her most recent book, HappiNest: Find- has raged for several years. glass of wine or cup of tea triggers new right approach, it can be transformational. ing Fulfillment After Your Kids Leave Home, Let’s face it: It’s isolating to stay inside for ideas, prompts great discussions and Judy Holland, judyhollandauthor.com, has is available on Amazon. long stretches. And when we venture out- brings everyone closer. side, we find others who look like aliens 3. Choose meaningful connections. MARK YOUR CALENDAR with face masks and gloves, darting away Connect with friends who soothe and sup- from each other. It’s downright creepy. port you. Steer clear of toxic relationships May+ DARK NIGHTS DUET Before coronavirus knocked us off our or people who vex or annoy you. If you’re looking for a way to brighten your nights, check out the feet, one-fifth of Americans reported feel- Aristotle divides friendship into two Virginia Repertory Theatre’s YouTube channel. There you will find free duets every ing lonely. More than one-third of Ameri- types: those of “utility” and those of “plea- cans age 45 and older said they felt socially sure” — which both fade away. But the week of beloved musical numbers. Visit https://bit.ly/DarkNightsDuets. isolated. And 28% of older adults live home friendship “of the good,” the one that ex- alone, more than ever before. ists for its own sake, sticks with you. AGRICULTURE ASSISTANCE Too much isolation is bad news: Loneli- 4. Connect with community. Watch May+ ness is as damaging as smoking 15 ciga- concerts, plays or church services on your With the weather getting nicer, you might be spending more time rettes a day, being obese, or having high computer, tablet or smartphone. It’s the outside in the garden. Watch free videos on Facebook Live with blood pressure or diabetes. It can trigger in- next best thing to being there. flammation, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and pre- 5. Chat up strangers. Did you ever tips on gardening and other agricultural practices. Check them out at mature death. It also hampers the immune share secrets with your airplane seatmate? facebook.com/VSUCollegeofAgriculture. system, which is especially tough on older We frequently confide in people we barely adults, who are more vulnerable to the virus. know, seeking “cognitive empathy” with How can we bust isolation? others who have similar experiences. GRAMMY GALORE 1. Rekindle old friendships. Go on These days, we’re all in the same boat. May+ Get all the benefits of the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles from the internet or pick up your phone to track When you’re outside, interact with others your couch. Watch interviews and concerts with musicians, and down people from your past. Close friends nearby. Just stay more than six feet away! help us cope with the ups and downs of life Remember, physical distance isn’t the learn how to do basic video production with free classes. Visit — and these times are definitely a down- same as social distance. People who move grammymuseum.org/museum-at-home for more information. er. through tough times and trauma emerge 2. Create virtual double dates. Connect with “post-traumatic growth,” feeling more 8 Fitness & Health | Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS Ways you can help others from home By Margaret Foster People to digitize items from its collection so volunteers to transcribe documents, too. Be a couch cartographer A few weeks into the coronavirus quar- they can be searched online. (crowd.loc.gov) (archives.gov/citizen-archivist) For less one-on-one social interaction, antine, Laurie Onofrio-Collier, 57, heard Anyone with a computer and an internet All three programs have an online you can also volunteer from your couch by about AARP’s new Friendly Voice program connection can transcribe images of docu- forum, such as the National Archives’ His- helping cartographers. — a call center that offers older adults a ments such as Abraham Lincoln’s notes, tory Hub, where volunteers “meet” and Map lovers can join the National Map free, confidential telephone conversation. Branch Rickey’s scouting reports, centu- can ask and answer questions. Corps with the U.S. Geological Survey. ([email protected]) ry-old diary entries, and even Rosa Parks’ In this way, while volunteering from The agency asks volunteer editors to help “I told my husband about it, and he said, recipe for peanut butter pancakes. home, “people form relationships and get update map sites from their home comput- ‘Calling and chatting with people? That “Anybody can do it,” said Dr. Victoria to know [other] people,” Van Hyning said. ers. ([email protected]) sounds like you,’” Onofrio-Collier said, Van Hyning, the library’s senior innova- “They’re all retirees, for the most part. It’s “Many of our current volunteers are re- laughing. tion specialist and project manager. “You a great way to engage with people right tirees who enjoy being able to contribute to a Now, from her sunny patio, Onofrio-Col- don’t really need to have a knowledge of, now, and people are very welcoming.” citizen-science project without leaving the lier spends several hours a day reaching or affinity for, a certain subject.” house, so this is an ideal stay-at-home/social out to people who are frightened or lonely. Van Hyning noticed an uptick in volun- Bring books alive distancing opportunity,” project manager She listens, asks questions and laughs teers since the quarantine began in March, Another way to engage with people is by Emily Anderson said. with them. but with 215,000 pages transcribed and reading books to students. An audiobook After creating an account and reading a Speaking about a recent phone call with 54,000 of those needing a review for accu- company called Learning Ally trains volun- brief how-to guide, Map Corps volunteers an older woman, she said, “We talked racy, she said, “There’s still plenty to do.” teers to record textbooks or young-adult can get to work right away. Add new points about memories, and vacations with kids Older volunteers are particularly need- novels for students who are blind or to a map or make sure that existing points and travel, and you could just hear how ed. “Being able to read cursive is a huge dyslexic. (learningally.org) correctly identify schools, hospitals and joyful she was and how delighted she was benefit that people over 50 can bring, since Other volunteers are paired up with nar- other structures. If you get stuck, there’s a with the conversation.” it’s not being taught in school anymore,” rators to give them one-on-one feedback on Q&A forum where people can ask ques- Like AARP, which launched its program she said. each recording’s sound quality, speed or tions or answer them for newbies. in March in response to the pandemic, The goal of By the People, Van Hyning pronunciation. A third tier of volunteers many organizations need volunteers, and said, is not only to make the library’s con- double-checks the final product before the Wanted: Outdoor citizen scientists much of the work can be done from home. tent easier to find, but to engage Ameri- book is distributed to 30,000 children — and There are also volunteer options for na- There’s a virtual volunteer position for cans with their national heritage. hopefully sparks a lifelong love of reading. ture lovers. Amateur wildlife photogra- just about everyone, and older adults espe- Similar programs, like the Smithsonian “Most of the kids who use our products phers can upload photos to the iNaturalist cially are taking advantage. Transcription Center, welcome “anyone struggle with reading,” said Paula Restre- app or website, contributing them to a Transcribe historic documents with a curious spirit,” according to its web- po, volunteer nation lead at Learning Ally, database for biologists. (iNaturalist.org) The Library of Congress, for example, site, transcription.si.edu. The National “so we need to make sure that first book is Birdwatchers can report sightings via launched a program in 2018 called By the Archives Citizen Archivist program asks really engaging.” iBird — an online checklist organized by the National Audubon Society and the Cor- nell Laboratory of Ornithology. (iBird.com) You can help save lives by reporting floods, hail or tornadoes with a quick phone call or email. The National Weather Service is always on the lookout for “weather weenies,” as agency meteorolo- gist Jeremy Geiger put it. Geiger trains people officially called “spotters” to report storms via a program called Skywarn (weather.gov/skywarn). The two-hour training sessions are entire- ly online now, and no experience is necessary. “Average Joes to geniuses” are welcome, he said. The on-the-ground weather reports from their 400,000 trained severe weather spot-

See VOLUNTEER, page 9 MARK YOUR CALENDAR

May+ ROVE OVER MARS Embrace your inner astronaut with a real recording of the surface of Mars by a NASA rover. A brief history lesson is included. To access, visit access- mars.withgoogle.com.

ZOOMING TO THE May+ ZOO Get in touch with nature by watching free livestream zoo cams from across the country that highlight apes, koalas, whales, giraffes, penguins and more. To check it out, go to https://bit.ly/ZooVideos. FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Fitness & Health 9 PHOTO BY BRAD COLLIER and gloves and help Feed More’s Meals on Volunteer Wheels program deliver thousands of meals From page 8 each day throughout the metro area. (feed- ters are crucial, Geiger said, enabling the more.org) agency to issue a warning and save lives. You also can help Richmond Metropoli- “With a radar, you can only see so tan Habitat for Humanity by sewing much,” he said. Retirees are particularly cloth face masks for volunteers or making helpful. “People who are retired have a lit- recipe books for future homeowners. tle more time.” (richmondhabitat.org) To Onofrio-Collier, a virtual volunteer Help Richmonders position is a rewarding way to fill up the If you’d like to help out RVA residents, days. In fact, you can get carried away. consider becoming a TeleBridges volunteer Recently, a friend asked her what TV with Senior Connections. Once you register, shows she was “binge-watching” during you’ll be matched with a volunteer to learn the quarantine. how to provide telephone reassurance to “I said, ‘What? Sorry, I don’t have any older adults. Contact [email protected]. time for that,’” Onofrio-Collier said. “I’m Feed More [see our cover story this busier now than when I was working.” month] needs volunteers to make friendly To receive a Friendly Voice phone call, greeting cards for food recipients, anything dial 1-888-281-0145. To search for more “to bring a smile to their faces,” according to volunteer opportunities to do from home, its website, feedmore.org. Wear a face mask visit createthegood.aarp.org. MARK YOUR CALENDAR SHAKESPEARE PLAYS May+ You can still enjoy the world-renowned Globe Theatre in London by watching its Shakespearean plays online. You can view over 70 plays by renting them for $6.19 each or buying (and keeping forever) for $13.82. Check it out at globeplayer.tv.

VIDEOS OF NATURE May+ Relax with the plants from the Volunteer Park Conservatory in Seattle. Watch a live stream of the flora of the famous green- house every day at 5 p.m. on Instagram. Check it out at Laurie Onofrio-Collier volunteers from her patio, phoning older adults for AARP’s Instagram.com/vpconservatory. Friendly Voices program. “I try to have a few joyful, uplifting conversations a day, and that’s what I can give,” she said. Many organizations, from the Library of Con- gress to the National Weather Service, need volunteers who can work from home. 10 Fitness & Health | Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS A new target in fight against dementia By Veena J. Alfred, Ph.D. cause of Alzheimer’s is astrocytes. These brain through the blood supply), amount of glutamate around the brain cells. The body’s immune system can turn star-shaped cells (hence their name) con- —maintaining chemical balance, What is more damaging, the amyloid against itself: What evolved as a protective stitute an essential part of the central nerv- —producing antioxidants (to counteract plaques can actually cause the astrocytes mechanism can, under different circum- ous system and are the most abundant oxidative stress), and to release glutamate that they had already stances, actually cause harm. cells in the brain. —controlling immune system respons- taken in for reprocessing into glutamine. Scientists have discovered that there is, They perform a number of important es to injury in the central nervous system. High levels of glutamate surrounding in fact, something in the brain that plays an functions, including: Astrocytes also release chemicals into the brain cells cause overactivation of the immensely important protective and bene- —creating and maintaining synapses the brain that are associated with memory cells, and this results in cell damage and ficial role but can also, under certain cir- (links between brain cells), and learning and the establishment of new even cell death. cumstances, cause damage — and they —serving as gatekeepers of the blood- connections between brain cells. It is this damage and death of brain cells have linked it, possibly, to Alzheimer’s. brain barrier (which prevents toxins and that is responsible for the memory loss This new culprit in the search for the other harmful elements from entering the The role of glutamate and other cognitive impairments experi- One of the key functions of astrocytes is enced by Alzheimer’s patients. MARK YOUR CALENDAR the control of the amount of glutamate around brain cells. Glutamate is a chemi- Potential treatments May+ CHERRY BLOSSOMS TOUR cal that excites brain cells into communi- Researchers are now looking into the pos- If you feel like you missed out of the cherry blossom experience cating with each other. sibility of developing drugs that will target as- Too much glutamate and excessive exci- trocytes — and, in particular, their mecha- in late March, you can still get your spring fix. Take a Google Earth guided tour of tation can be harmful to the brain cells, nisms for controlling glutamate levels. cherry blossoms around the world, where you can “walk” through 10 scenes. and it is the job of the astrocytes to keep Of the more than 1,000 drugs approved glutamate at the right level and convert by the FDA, more than 20 have been shown Check it on at https://bit.ly/CherryBlossomsWeb. the excess glutamate to glutamine. to be effective in stimulating the astrocyte When amyloid-B plaques accumulate in mechanism to control glutamate levels. INSIDE THE NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, an in- This is a new approach to the treatment May+ flammatory response is triggered. The in- of Alzheimer’s. It shifts the focus away Take a quick tour of the National Portrait Gallery on YouTube. In flammation causes the astrocytes to clear from the amyloid plaques and tau tangles this six-minute video, you will see all of the self-portraits available the amyloid plaques from the brain. to astrocytes. In the process of reacting to the buildup Early findings of this approach look ex- at the gallery, which now have an exhibition in the Boca Raton Museum of Art in of amyloid plaques, the astrocytes under- tremely promising. Florida. To view, visit https://bit.ly/SelfPortraitVideo. go various changes. Veena J. Alfred, Ph.D., is a certified de- One of these changes is that the astro- mentia practitioner and CEO/Administra- cytes become less efficient at controlling the tor of AlfredHouse. Introducing Quingo... the World’s Best Selling Auto-Loading Scooter! With 5 wheel technology for superior handling, stability, and safety

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The Resource for Aging Well

Executive Director’s Message Dr. Thelma Bland Watson Executive Director, Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging

For the past 57 years, communities throughout the United States have observed Older Americans Month as a time to recognize the im- East Cary Street Richmond, VA 23219 portance of older adults. The theme for May 2020 is “Make Your Mark.” Toll Free: 1-800-989-2286 Again, this year, May is recognized as Older Americans Month by the Main Office: (804) 343-3000 U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), and as Older Virgini- Fax: (804) 649-2258 ans Month by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative seniorconnections-va.org Services (DARS), as a time to recognize the contributions of older Vir- ginians and the many ways they “Make Marks” in our communities. This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of encouraging and Dear Senior Connections Supporter, recognizing the countless contributions that older adults make to families and communities. However, the year’s observance is a time Thank you for your ongoing support to help fill “empty plates” for older adults who need as- when we also recognize the national COVID-19 crisis that impacts all sistance in the Greater Richmond community. Each year, we conclude our annual Empty ages as we seek to keep communities safe and healthy while check- Plate Campaign with an annual luncheon in October. This year, in response to the coron- ing on the wellbeing of older adults who may be further isolated. avirus pandemic, we are devoting all efforts to meeting needs of vulnerable older adults and This is also time for us to look to the future and review policies caregivers. We need and appreciate your support. that impact older adults and caregivers during times of crisis so that we can improve the ways in which we provide care, support and The 17th Annual Empty Plate Luncheon originally scheduled for October 7, 2020 will not services to people of all ages. After all, we are all in this together, cri- be held. This will give us the opportunity to focus all our efforts on supporting the needs sis or not. We are all aging all the time. As indicated throughout this issue of Engage at any Age, May is a of our older adults and caregivers in response to the COVID-19 crisis, while filling many time to recognize the accomplishments of older adults and recog- empty plates.

nize people of all ages. This is a time to reflect on the many opportu- With your generous support, Senior Connections achieves our mission of “empowering sen- nities we have to honor older adults as valuable resources to our communities and families. These opportunities help us to realize the iors to live with dignity and choice.” We continue that mission during this pandemic as our important role that older adults serve as role models and mentors. community takes unprecedented actions to deal with the spread of COVID-19 and address We extend thanks to all of our local governments for supporting the needs of older adults who are most at risk during this crisis. Our services are more im- May 2020 as Older Americans Month as we address the challenges portant now and will continue to be in the months to come. and opportunities of COVID-19. This time of crisis points to the need to call attention to the importance of intergenerational collabora- Your contribution to the Annual Empty Plate Campaign provides food, in-home care, emer- tions as well as the opportunities that are available for community gency services, transportation, and activities to reduce social isolation and improve health partnerships. and well-being. Today, this work is more critical than ever. Thank you for considering a COVID-19 has brought together many groups to collaborate, share contribution to this year’s Empty Plate Campaign. resources and best practices. In the Richmond Region, we are receiving much encouragement and support from local governments, Our goal is to raise $160,000. Again, please join us to make a difference in the lives of older funders and individuals as we address the immediate and long term adults and caregivers. Please complete the form on the back of this edition of Engage at Any needs as a result of COVID-19. Age (see page B-4) and return it along with your check (made payable to Senior Connections In recognition of Older Virginians Month, we salute all programs with 2020 Empty Plate Campaign noted on the memo line) or donate online at seniorcon- of Senior Connections and community partners for empowering nections-va.org/giving/donate. older adults to remain in their homes by helping them manage their health while utilizing available community resources. As we observe For any additional information, please contact Mrs. Angie Phelon at (804) 343-3045. We Older Virginians Month, we honor all of our program participants, appreciate your kindness, consideration and support. volunteers and certainly the staff at Senior Connections. Thank you for joining us in celebrating during May and in the future. Warmest regards, Thank you for “Making Your Mark” with “transforming perspec- tives” as we prepare for 50 years of service from 1973 to 2023. Thelma Bland Watson Michelle Johnson, Chair Carol A. Young, Chair

Sincerely, Executive Director Board of Directors Advisory Council

Thelma Bland Watson B-2 Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 Senior Connections, CAAA MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS Senior Connections Continues to Support Older Adults Thanks to Support from our Community!

For the past five weeks, Senior Con- livered 2,125 bags with 10,625 meals to each week. We have received do- nections has been packing and delivering older adults. The meal bags are packed at nations from Rosie’s, Westminster shelf-stable meal bags to our Friendship Feed More by Senior Connections staff Canterbury, Humana, Aetna, An- Café participants and community mem- members and volunteers from the com- them, Dispatch Health, Gen- bers. Each bag contains a menu, prepared munity. Volunteers, staff and community worth, Jen Care and Girl Scout by our registered dietician, of five meals partners, such as Van Go, CAPUP and VIP, Troop 3824 of the Common- that participants can prepare at home. help deliver the meals. wealth, and Hands on RVA has Over the past five weeks, we have de- We are especially grateful for the support helped recruit volunteers. we have received from Perform- We offer our sincerest thank- ance Food Group (PFG) and the you to all who have supported Market @ 25th, who have been life- our mission during the COVID- savers in helping us procure food 19 pandemic.

Eligibility for your spouse’s Social Security

By Jacqueline Weisgarber, Social Security your own Social Security benefits? ceive your full spouse’s benefit amount (up We will add $150 from her spouse’s bene- Public Affairs Specialist To qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must to half the amount your spouse can receive). fit, for a total of $400. With more than 80 years of service, the be 62 years of age or older, or any age and You will also get your full spouse’s benefit Want to apply for either your or your Social Security Administration has helped care for a child who is younger than age 16 if you care for a child who is younger than spouse’s benefits? Are you at least 61 years secure today and tomorrow with finan- or who is disabled and entitled to receive age 16 or who has a disability and is entitled and 8 months old? Visit www.ssa.gov/ben- cial benefits, information and tools that benefits on your spouse’s record. Your full to receive benefits on your spouse’s record. efits/retirement to learn more about the support you throughout life’s journey. spouse’s benefit could be up to one-half the If your benefits as a spouse are higher process. In May, we recognize Older Americans amount your spouse is entitled to receive at than your own retirement benefits, you Are you divorced, but your marriage month and we encourage you to participate their full retirement age. will get a combination of benefits that lasted at least 10 years? You may be able by learning about available Social Security If you choose to receive your spouse’s equal the higher spouse benefit. For ex- to get benefits on your former spouse’s benefits. Did you know that you may be able benefits before you reach full retirement ample, Sandy qualifies for a retirement record. Explore more about your eligibili- to receive benefits on your spouse’s record age, you will get a permanently reduced benefit of $250 and a spouse’s benefit of ty by visiting our Benefits Planner page at if you have not worked or do not have benefit. If you wait until you reach full retire- $400. At her full retirement age, she will www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/di- enough Social Security credits to qualify for ment age to receive benefits, you will re- receive her own $250 retirement benefit. vspouse.html for more information. FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 Senior Connections, CAAA www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com B-3 IT4Causes: Making their Mark in the Nonprofit World A cornerstone of Senior Connections’ Tom had worked for Honeywell in soft- programming is that services are provid- ware quality assurance, and as an IT Di- ed in the community and in individual rector at Capital One, where he had al- homes. How we “do our business” is built ways worked with the company’s com- around that model. munity service groups to help nonprofits With the COVID-19 pandemic, followed in addition to his normal day job. Lyall by a stay at home order, we had worked in public ac- had to totally change how we counting, United Way and a do business. We also had to startup software company. change how we communi- Both saw that nonprofits cate with participants and often struggle with their IT with each other. Success re- needs, and wanted to figure quires reliable access to out how to help them do technology. technology well. After lots of Before the pandemic, Sen- research and a pilot or two, ior Connections recognized they landed on the IT4Causes the need to upgrade and in- business model, which uses a vest in our staff and techno- couple of key paid staff mem- logical infrastructure. As with Tom Anderson bers combined with skilled Interns at IT4Causes most nonprofits, we typically volunteers from various spe- think of ourselves last, instead investing cialties to identify IT needs and implement phones, tablets and computers — so any our work right now is remote. funds in programs and services. solutions at local nonprofits. changes must include an understanding Perhaps one of the greatest benefits to Grounded in a belief that we could do Over time, they also incorporated of this. At this time, IT4Causes has en- this move is that it comes with new tools both, we contracted with IT4Causes, a technology interns into the program. abled our staff to work remotely while for better collaboration and communica- 501(c)(3) organization, whose mission is Using this model, IT4Causes can deliver protecting our data from hackers and tion among staff. Staff “groups” can be cre- to provide stable, secure and sustainable great IT to local nonprofits at a fraction scammers. ated to allow seamless connection to one information technology (IT) solutions of typical commercial costs. First order of business: Ensure staff another with increased ability to access that enable other nonprofit organizations These improvements could not have has reliable up-to-date computer equip- and share documents. This is especially to focus on their missions and serve their come at a better time. Shifting access to ment at home. Tom and his helpful during remote work, clients better, with lower total cost to email, files and records from the office to team were able to refur- when we cannot come to- their organization and the community. home has a lot of moving parts. Not all of bished donated laptops (as gether in a conference room IT4Causes was founded in 2014 by Tom our staff have access to reliable internet well as some purchased to discuss ideas, grants, serv- Anderson and Lyall Shank, both of who were (we serve city of Richmond and sur- below cost) and update for ices or complex individual 50+ and decided to take on new roles that rounding counties where some locations staff to use at home. situations that require a team are more about “impact” than “income.” still have dial up). Staff have smart- Remotely, IT4Causes is in approach. the process of shifting us Having a staff that can from a server to Office 365 easily connect is critical in in the Microsoft Cloud. This order to provide services shift will greatly simplify the during this time, not only for Update on Senior technology stack and re- the older adults we serve, move the risk of the servers Lyall Shank but for each other. We are all Connections Services failing, with an added bonus going through this together. of also reducing long-term costs. We need to be able to connect and sup- During COVID-19 Our staff will have greater accessibility port one another. to our data from any device, anytime, The work we do is hard. Our technolo- Pandemic — anywhere. There will be greater reliability gy should not be. Thanks to this partner- and performance, a fool-proof connec- ship, our agency is more technologically How you can help! tion of mobile devices to organization prepared than ever before to get us email accounts, greater overall security through this pandemic and other emer- for sensitive data, and built-in capabili- gency situations that are sure to follow Senior Connections continues to lic Guardian Program. And our Care- ties for remote work. This is crucial as all (hopefully, not anytime soon). ensure service delivery continues giver Specialist is still responding to during the COVID-19 pandemic. We the needs of caregivers. are working with the Department of We are working to keep disruptions Aging and Rehabilitative Services at a minimum and we greatly appreci- (DARS) and local governments to co- ate all offers of assistance and support ordinate resources for older adults. during the coronavirus epidemic. At Ride Connection Our office building remains closed, this time, monetary donations will but our staff members are working have the greatest impact. We suggest Our goal at Ride Connection is to help older adults and persons with from home and other remote loca- any donations for food be provided di- disabilities have knowledge about, and access to, transportation for medical and tions. We are conducting assessments rectly to Feed More, one of our part- non-medical needs to help them age in place at home and live a healthy and and handling requests for assistance ner agencies, which helps us provide socially-connected life. by telephone in lieu of home visits. home-delivered meals to older adults Adults age 60 and over (and adults under age 60 receiving SSA disability Our Friendship Cafés are closed, throughout our service area. benefits) are eligible for service. but we are providing meals to Friend- Monetary donations to Senior Con- Ride Connection: ship Café participants, as well as call- nections will be used for the purchase • Provides information on mobility planning, education and referrals. ing them to make sure they are well. of food and personal items, to help • Provides transportation to a limited number of medical appointments each Our Long-Term Care Ombudsman with utility bills, and to support our month. Program staff members are working transportation program and social • Provides assistance with accessing public transportation. with long-term care facilities and assist- isolation programs. ing residents and their family members. Monetary donations may be made We are coordinating home care by visiting our website at seniorcon- For more information, please contact services and transportation and re- nections-va.org or by mailing a check sponding to the needs of individuals in to Senior Connections, 24 East Cary the Ride Connection Hotline our other programs, such as the Pub- St., Richmond, VA 23219. at (804) 672-4495. B-4 Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 Senior Connections, CAAA MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS # # FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com 15

RISKY BUSINESS The 4% per year rule doesn’t always work. Withdrawing too much from your portfo- Law & lio too early can lead to a shortage later on and potentially put your retirement funds at risk

WHEN WILL NORMAL RETURN? The chief economist of Moody’s Analytics predicts more stimulus will be needed, and the U.S. economy will rebound only after scientists roll out a vaccine or treatment for COVID-19 Money Where to turn amid bond market chaos? By Jeffrey R. Kosnett Interest rate fears health headlines are less dire and stocks briefly trading above its net asset value, I won’t mince words: “Lower for longer,” But the daily pressure for interest rates rally for longer than a few hours. the fund is discounted again. my overriding view of fixed-income yields, to plunge further comes from many sides. Fixed-income markets will then con- Actively managed, go-anywhere bond is trending toward “lowest imaginable.” And that’s what frightens me. front a simultaneous buying strike and funds are made for challenging times, includ- Expect the imminent return of zero, or Start with the stock market: It’s an impul- profit-taking spree. Positive total returns ing FPA New Income (FPNIX), Metropolitan near-zero, rates on money market funds, sive polling booth where orderly price de- — such as the 2.4% delivered year to date West Flexible Income (MWFSX), Osterweis three- and six-month certificates of deposit clines due to tactical selling are super- through March 13 by the Bloomberg Bar- Total Return (OSTRX), PGIM Total Return (CDs) and bank deposits. charged by technical scourges such as rapid- clays Ag gregate Bond index — could flip (PDBAX) and RiverNorth DoubleLine Bonds with 4% and 5% coupons will be fire hedge-fund trading, margin calls and im- to losses. I would consider exiting long- Strategic Income (RNDLX). Their net asset called in bunches by their issuers. Mort- paired liquidity in options and futures. term Treasuries rather than blindly using values won’t fall apart if Treasury yields gage refis will cut the payouts from Ginnie The trillions of dollars escaping stocks them as a haven from chaos elsewhere. bounce. Nor will the payouts crater — Mae funds. More dividend erosion is in are hyper-inflating bond prices (that means though I grant they may shrink a little — be- store for short- and intermediate-term bond lower yields, which move in the opposite di- Consider munis cause of their mix of assets. funds. rection). Meanwhile, politicians and central Where would I look instead? Municipal Well-screened high-yield bonds and pre- Is the slide in yields a disaster for you bankers imagine that interest rate cuts can bonds are mostly keeping their distance ferred stocks are worth a look. AT&T’s 4.75% and me? Not immediately, if you own, di- repel economic havoc. That’s questionable. from this chaos. And the ratio of tax-free to series C preferreds, issued at $25 in Febru- rectly or through funds, noncallable in- The real nightmare scenario is that you taxable yields is again favorable. ary, are a good value at $23, for a yield to call vestment-grade bonds or government and lock your money in a low-yield prison just Consider Vanguard Tax-Exempt ETF in 2025 of 5.8%. A junk fund with low expo- municipal bonds with decent coupons and in time for normalcy to return to the finan- (symbol VTEB, $52). It yields 1.2%, equiva- sure to energy — think TCW High Yield many years to maturity. cial markets. At some point, the interest- lent to 2% for some taxpayers. (TGHYX), yielding 3.3% — is fine. Credit is sound — outside of retail and rate curve will trace a V — because if 10- My favorite closed-end tax-exempt fund, Don’t get too fearful. Fear rarely pays. oil and gas, and maybe airlines — so 98% of year Treasury yields can travel from 1.5 to BNY Mellon Muni Bond Infrastructure © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Edi- all bonds will pay on schedule even if eco- 0.5% in a fortnight, the reverse is also pos- (DMB, $12), pays a secure monthly divi- tors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content nomic growth hibernates this summer. sible. A reversal could start as soon as the dend and yields an annualized 5.3%. After Agency, LLC. How to raid retirement funds in a crisis By Liz Weston Here are more details on those options, Withdraw Roth contributions ments owed in 2020 for up to one year. In an ideal world, your retirement ac- plus a few more ideas: You can always withdraw the amount you The danger of any retirement plan loan counts would be left alone for retirement. Coronavirus hardship withdrawal contributed to your Roth IRA tax- and penal- is that you won’t be able to pay the money But you’ve probably noticed that we’re not Savers impacted by the pandemic can ty-free. It’s only when you start taking out back. That triggers income taxes as well as living in an ideal world. take up to $100,000 from their 401(k)s and investment earnings on those contributions penalties if you’re under 59½. Early withdrawals can have serious IRAs as part of the recently enacted eco- that you can incur taxes and penalties. Withdraw from your IRA repercussions, including big tax bills today nomic stimulus package. The withdrawal If you’ve converted a traditional retire- If you don’t qualify for a coronavirus-re- and potential shortfalls in the future. Please is not penalized, and there’s no mandatory ment account to a Roth, withdrawals of the lated hardship withdrawal, you can still take look for other solutions first. You might: withholding. converted money won’t be taxable but can money from traditional and rollover IRAs. — Halt ongoing retirement contribu- You also have longer to pay the result- be penalized if the conversion is less than Distributions are generally taxable, and you tions to free up cash. ing taxes, since the income can be spread five years old. can be penalized if you’re under 59½. — Trim expenses. evenly over tax years 2020, 2021 and 2022. A short-term IRA loan Regular hardship withdrawal — Tap other savings and nonretire- And if you can pay back the amount you Long-term IRA loans aren’t allowed, but If you don’t qualify for a coronavirus-re- ment investment accounts. took out within three years, you can claim if you have a temporary cash crunch — lated hardship withdrawal, you may still be — Sell unneeded possessions. a refund on those taxes. you have to pay a bill while waiting for able to get a regular hardship withdrawal — Ask lenders for concessions on debt These distributions are allowed if you, a your tax refund, for example — the “60- from your 401(k) or other workplace re- payments. spouse or dependent has been diagnosed day rule” may help. Money taken from a tirement plan if you can prove an immedi- — Seek government or charitable help with COVID-19. They’re also allowed if regular, rollover or Roth IRA isn’t taxed or ate and heavy financial need that requires if you can’t pay your bills. you’ve experienced adverse financial con- penalized if it’s re-deposited within 60 the distribution. If you must raid your retirement funds, sequences from coronavirus-related is- days. You’re allowed to do this only once in Examples include medical expenses, tu- there are ways to reduce the financial impact. sues, such as having your hours reduced; any 12-month period. ition, a home purchase, funeral expenses, If you’re unlikely to pay the money being quarantined, laid off or furloughed; Borrow from your 401(k) and payments to prevent eviction or foreclo- back, your best option may be to take not having the child care that would allow You can now borrow up to 100% of your sure. Hardship distributions are taxable, money from a Roth IRA. you to work; owning a business that’s vested balance in a current employer’s with a mandatory 20% withholding, and often If you can pay it back, using the new closed or reduced its hours; or “other fac- workplace retirement plan, up to a maxi- are subject to 10% early withdrawal penalties. “coronavirus hardship withdrawal” con- tors as determined by the Secretary of the mum of $100,000. Generally such loans are Each of these options has too many tained in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Treasury,” according to the text of the repaid over five years, but the stimulus Economic Security Act may be your best bet. CARES Act. package allows borrowers to delay pay- See RETIREMENT FUNDS, page 17 16 Law & Money | Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS When will the U.S. economy recover? By Anne Kates Smith struggle; and businesses, weighed down cial system being taken out? rates are at 0%. They’ve launched infinite Mark Zandi is the chief economist of by uncertainty, won’t invest or hire aggres- There will be some problems in the finan- quantitative easing to buy every kind of Moody’s Analytics. He spoke with Kiplinger’s sively. We’re in the soup, more or less, cial system that the Federal Reserve can’t bond they can legally buy, lowered bank Anne Kates Smith in a series of interviews until we have some solution to this virus. control — in the shadow banking system — reserve requirements and set up all kinds on March 26 and 27. This is an edited tran- Is the $2.2 trillion fiscal stimulus that might impair the flow of credit to some of credit facilities — some new and some script of their conversations. enough? degree. The shadow system includes the used in the financial crisis. Q. What’s your outlook for the econo- Ultimately, it won’t be enough, but it overnight debt-repurchase market, corpo- They’re very committed and very cre- my? How deep a recession do you see? was a very timely, positive step. It was a rate bonds, asset-backed securities, pension ative. They should succeed in keeping the A: It’s going to be a struggle between valiant effort, and I think it will make a dif- funds, insurance, derivatives, payment system from cracking up. The risk is that now and this time next year. We’re in the ference. Without it, we’d see a second- processors, crypto-currencies — every- there are fault lines they might not be able teeth of the downturn now. We expect quarter decline in GDP of close to 30% — a thing outside banks and credit unions. to manage quickly enough. gross domestic product to have fallen 2% complete wipeout. Even with the economy The shadow system is not transparent, Do you see any unintended conse- to 3% in the first quarter and to fall close to down 18.7%, there’s a lot of pressure on the and we don’t have much information about quences from this unprecedented 20% in the second quarter — 18.7%, to be financial system. it. If one institution gets taken out, it be- monetary and fiscal stimulus? Could precise. The stimulus is designed to generate a comes systemic very quickly, and the it trigger inflation? I’m assuming the virus plays out by the pop in economic growth, but then it goes shadow system plays a key role in the Prices for certain goods in scarce sup- third quarter [from July to September] — away. We’ll probably need more in the economy. ply will jump, but I don’t expect a broad- not gone away, but no longer closing busi- fourth quarter, possibly including more in For example, the Federal Housing Ad- based acceleration in inflation. Demand nesses. We’ll get a double-digit pop in GDP unemployment benefits, help for the states, ministration mortgage market is dominat- for goods and services has been ham- as people go back to work. In the fourth maybe more aid to smaller businesses. I ed by non-banks. I expect the Fed to set up mered, which will weigh on prices. quarter, we’ll get some growth, but the suspect there will be a lot of business fail- and provide a credit facility to mortgage What about the increasing debt economy will be limping along. ures. banks. It would be cataclysmic if FHA load, for the federal government and For calendar 2020, I expect U.S. GDP to Will it take years to recover? lending got shut down, and ironic, consid- for companies? be down 2.3%. Unemployment should peak No. If we solve the virus, we’ll quickly ering the Federal Housing Administra- Government deficits and corporate debt in the second quarter at 9%, but on a get our groove back. There will be pent-up tion was set up during the Depression to will surge, but this is a problem for anoth- monthly basis, we could get to double-digit demand, and interest rates will be low. As- funnel money directly to the mortgage er day. Governments need to use all their unemployment. suming the finance system is not taken market. resources to address the health and eco- What shape will the recovery take? out, we’ll see a period of good strong Is the Fed doing enough to keep nomic crisis. If they don’t, we will suffer an We won’t kick into gear until they find a growth in the second half of 2021 going markets functioning and support the economic depression, creating fiscal prob- vaccine or a medical treatment that is ef- into 2022 — as long as the script for a vac- economy? lems that are much worse. fective for the virus. Until that happens, I cine holds true. The Fed is on DEFCON 1 — it’s all in; it don’t see people traveling; global trade will What do you mean about the finan- has broken the emergency glass. Interest See RECOVERY, page 18 The Invention of the Year Th e world’s lightest and most portable mobility device Once in a lifetime, a product comes along that truly moves people. Introducing the future of personal transportation... The Zinger. Throughout the ages, there have been many with aircraft grade aluminum. It weighs important advances in mobility. Canes, walkers, only 47.2 lbs but can handle a passenger rollators, and scooters were created to help that’s up to 275 lbs! It features one-touch people with mobility issues get around and folding and unfolding– when folded it can retain their independence. Lately, however, be wheeled around like a suitcase and there haven’t been any new improvements to fits easily into a backseat or trunk. Then, these existing products or developments in this there are the steering levers. 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The Zinger Chair is a personal electric vehicle and is not a medical device nor a wheelchair. Zinger is not intended for medical purposes to provide mobility to persons restricted to a sitting position. It is not covered by Medicare nor Medicaid. © 2020 ﬁ rst STREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. 85204 FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Law & Money 17 Some simple strategies for CD savers By Lisa Gerstner With most CDs, you’ll face a penalty if long-term CDs offer. Meanwhile, each line savings accounts. You can use them to Since the Federal Reserve slashed the you pull out the funds before the CD ma- time a CD matures, you could reinvest the squeeze out a little extra yield, said Ken federal funds rate to near zero in March, tures, so they’re best for savings you won’t cash or use it for other needs. Tumin, of DepositAccounts.com. For ex- yields on certificates of deposit, a federally need for a while. You can also hedge your bets by choos- ample, Ally’s 11-month no-penalty CD insured savings account with fixed interest And when interest rates are scraping ing long-term CDs with minimal early- yields 1.55% on balances of at least rates and fixed dates of withdrawal, have bottom, it’s often wise to focus on CDs withdrawal penalties. Five-year CDs $25,000, and the bank’s savings account been tumbling. with maturities of a couple years or less. from Ally Bank: 1.60% yield; Barclays: yields 1.5%. “Unfortunately for savers, we will return to That way, when yields rise again, your 1.85%; and Sallie Mae Bank: 1.70%, with a You could keep some of your savings in the ultra-low interest earnings that prevailed money isn’t trapped earning a low rate. $2,500 minimum deposit, have relatively a no-penalty CD, then move it to the sav- for years following the 2008 financial crisis,” A CD ladder is another way to maintain light penalties of no more than six months’ ings account fee-free if the money needs to said Greg McBride, of Bankrate.com. [For flexibility: Spread your cash among CDs of interest. be more accessible. up-to-date information on CDs offering the varying maturities — say, of one, two, Or consider a no-penalty CD. Rates are © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, highest rates, visit Bankrate.com and Deposi- three, four and five years. Some of your usually lower than on standard CDs, but Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, tAccounts.com.] savings will capture the higher rates that they sometimes offer better rates than on- LLC. MARK YOUR CALENDAR cards, medical bills or other debt that Retirement funds could be erased in bankruptcy. ALZHEIMER’S HELPLINE From page 15 May+ Retirement money typically is protected The Alzheimer’s Foundation is still available to support caregivers specific rules and exceptions to cover from creditors. It would be a shame to of people with Alzheimer’s. The helpline chat system is available here. It’s best to consult with a tax pro. drain your retirement accounts only to online at alzfdn.org in the lower, right-hand corner of the main page in over 90 wind up in bankruptcy court anyway. Also, talk to a bankruptcy attorney be- languages. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and fore using retirement money to pay credit —AP/NerdWallet from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FREE DANCE CLASSES May+ If you are struggling to deal with the mental and emotional toll May+ Don’t forget to exercise, even in quarantine. Take free dance that has come from COVID-19, there is help. Call the Disaster classes on Zoom any day of the week with Jane Franklin Dance. There are multiple dancing options, including ballet barre, floor work, jazz, Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746. You will be stretching, improv, modern dance, fitness and clogging. To register, visit jane- instantly connected to a trained professional for confidential counseling or other franklin.com/online-classes. support services. 18 Law & Money | Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS Stop ‘dollar-cost ravaging’ your portfolio By Jason Lambert there’s a drastic drop in the market —as shift, from “How much return do I hope to sage across. While climbers may feel If you aren’t familiar with the 4% rule, it we’ve seen in the past month alone — sud- get from my portfolio?” to “How much reli- they’ve conquered the most difficult part of asserts that retirees are unlikely to run out denly you could be taking 4% out of a portable income can I count on?” their quest when they reach the summit, of money as long as they withdraw approx- folio that’s been cut by a third or even half. And instead of working with a generic 75% of dangerous falls occur on the descent. imately 4% from their portfolios, adjusted If you run into a bear market early in re- withdrawal percentage, it means choosing in- It’s not a lot different when you’re work- for inflation, each year. tirement and continue withdrawing the same vestments — high dividend-paying stocks, ing toward retirement. Most people dream It was created in the 1990s, based on amount, you’ll have to sell more stocks to get fixed income instruments, annuities, etc. — of the day when they’ve accumulated stock and bond returns over a 50-year peri- there. And you’ll risk putting your portfolio that will produce the dollar amount you need enough money to move on to the next od, from 1926 to 1976. And it made sense into a death spiral. Even if the market even- ($2,000, $3,000, $5,000 or more) month after phase of their lives, and they diligently for many folks — for a while. tually recovers, your portfolio might not. month and year after year. save for that goal. But times change, and so does invest- You may have to downsize your with- Most investors — and some advisers — But without proper planning for the “de- ing. For one thing, the 4% rule came about drawals — and your planned lifestyle — or aren’t well-trained for this. Accumulation scent” — when instead of contributing to when interest rates were much higher. risk running out of money. gets all the glory in retirement planning, but your retirement accounts, you’re pulling Back then, you could get a Treasury note Add in increased longevity, the possibili- it’s a thoughtful decumulation process that money out — it’s easy to make mistakes. And that was paying 5% or 6%. At the moment, ty of higher taxes in the future and, of will make your retirement a true success. dropping your guard could be devastating. the 10-year Treasury rate is less than 1%. course, the fees you might be paying to In our financial practice, we often use a That means many older investors are manage those stocks, and you can see why mountain-climbing analogy to get this mes- See PORTFOLIO, page 19 looking to stocks to make their money, and the 4% faithful might want to rethink their often they’re taking more risk. This type of withdrawal strategy — and their overall at- strategy may work out while the market is titude toward retirement income. low end of the range until the unemploy- good, or even if there’s an occasional dip. Recovery ment rate was falling through 5%. That’s at From page 16 But if your plan is to withdraw 4% from Switch your focus to income least two years away. your retirement accounts every year and That requires a significant mindset One lesson we can take from this dark Is there any ammunition left for fur- time is that in the good times we should ther crisis, or the next crisis? MARK YOUR CALENDAR work hard to reduce deficits and debt. We have ammunition, but not nearly BROADWAY ON DEMAND Will 0% interest rates be the new enough to feel good about it. As soon as May+ we are on the other side of this crisis, we Take your love of the famed New York City street to your comput- normal far into the future, depressing returns for savers? should work diligently to get our fiscal er or TV. Stream Broadway musicals, dramas, even Cirque du Yes, I expect 0% short-term interest house in order. Solei productions online for $9 per month, with a seven-day free trial. Visit broad- rates through at least 2021, and likely © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Edi- wayhd.com for more details. longer. After the financial crisis, the Fed tors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content didn’t begin raising rates from zero at the Agency, LLC. FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Law & Money 19 Sources of free or cheap insulin for diabetics By Linda A. Johnson very little. How to apply sulins for $35 a month to people with pri- Diabetes patients struggling to afford in- The companies have all been criticized For the Novo Nordisk program, patients vate insurance or without insurance. Lilly sulin, especially those losing health insur- for huge price increases over the past must show that because of the pandemic hasn’t set a time limit on the program. ance because of the coronavirus pandemic, decade, which have led some patients to they’ve lost their job and their health in- Sanofi’s copay assistance lets most pa- can get it at sharply reduced prices, even ration their insulin. And the pandemic has surance, or they’ve started paying for in- tients with private insurance get Lantus and for free. made everything worse. surance under the COBRA program. Pa- other insulins for free or $10 per month. A All top three insulin makers are now offer- “The economic situation has changed tients can apply online. year ago, the company improved its Insulins ing programs to help patients. In April, Novo dramatically the last few weeks” for pa- The program will run through the end Valyou Savings Program, allowing unin- Nordisk announced a new program offering tients, said Doug Langa, head of Novo of the year, Langa said. Some patients can sured patients regardless of income to buy free insulin for at least three months to those Nordisk’s U.S. operations. stay on it longer than three months, in- insulin products for $99 per month. who have lost insurance. Rival Eli Lilly also Meanwhile, people with chronic condi- cluding those denied Medicaid benefits Qualified low- and middle-income pa- began offering most of its insulins for a $35 tions like diabetes are more vulnerable to during that period and those on Medicare. tients can get insulin and other Sanofi monthly copayment. Sanofi already had mul- complications if they become infected with The new Lilly Insulin Value Program medicines for free through the Sanofi Pa- tiple programs offering insulin for free or the coronavirus. provides Humalog and most other Lilly in- tient Connection program. —AP

MARK YOUR CALENDAR you’re still going with a 50-50 or even 40-60 Portfolio stock-bond mix or all S&P 500 stocks, it’s SLAVERY IN THE WHITE HOUSE From page 18 May+ time to change your focus to income. Presidents aren’t the only ones who resided in the White House. Rein in your risk Talk to your financial professional about In an effort to remember the slaves that built, worked at and lived In the financial world, putting your adjusting your portfolio. And say goodbye in the executive mansion, the White House Historical Association has created a portfolio at risk by steadily withdrawing to the 4% rule’s potential for retirement podcast, interactive tour and index of enslaved people. To access, visit white- funds during retirement, regardless of peril. market conditions, has been referred to Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this househistory.org/spn/introduction. as “dollar-cost ravaging” (a bit of wordplay article. based on the accumulation strategy of dol- This article was written by and presents ARMY BAND CONCERTS lar-cost averaging). And it’s a true risk for the views of the authors, not the Kiplinger May+ Enjoy the U.S. Army Band’s concerts online on Facebook. They retirees. editorial staff. You can check adviser play live every Tuesday at 2 p.m., Thursday at 7 p.m. and Friday Limiting your losses at this stage in records with the SEC or with FINRA. at 4 p.m. You can also view the archived versions of their concerts later on their your life is as critical as growing your © 2020 The Kiplinger Washington Edi- Facebook Page. To listen, go to facebook.com/usarmyband. money when you’re working. tors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content If you’re near or in retirement, and Agency, LLC. 20 Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS

LeisureLeisure &&

Laotian girls perform a traditional dance Travel in Luang Prabang. See story on p. 21. Why just camp when you can glamp? By Ivey Noojin from the owners’ dogs lying on their backs PHOTO BY RESORT AT PAWS UP Editor’s Note: As of the time of publication, with their paws in the air, eager for belly the COVID-19 virus has spread throughout the rubs from the incoming guests. But you world. Especially for vulnerable adults, this is could also call it Pounds Up due to the not the time to travel anywhere for enjoyment. food you will eat during your stay. Please enjoy this travel section as arm- chair entertainment and for planning your Fun for all ages future travel in healthier times. My family and I stayed at the ranch last Camping in the outdoors is all fun and year to celebrate my mother’s birthday. games until your back seizes up or the mos- We had a wide array of ages in our group quitos attack. But if you want to do some- — from 19 to 72 — but that was fine, as thing “woodsy” without the suffering, there’s many of the ranch’s activities are meant to a solution: glamorous camping, also known be multi-generational. as glamping. “You’re not going to be limited by any Although you’re immersed in the means by what you can and can’t do,” wilderness while glamping, you have a Robertson said. bed, running water, a proper toilet, a Members of my family took advantage kitchen with real appliances (none of those of every activity on and near the ranch. devices that threaten to start a forest fire) My mother, her husband and my brother and shelter from bugs. went rappelling down a rocky ledge, enjoy- Travelers can find plenty of room to commune with nature and social distance on the A ranch in Greenough, Montana, 35 min- ing an overlook of the Blackfoot River and 37,000 acres of Resort at Paws Up, a luxury Montana ranch. Intrepid travelers can ex- utes northeast of Missoula, has taken the green acres of the ranch. plore the ranch on horseback, on all-terrain vehicles or in canoes, while others can stay glamping to the extreme. Voted the best Later, I joined them for an all-terrain ve- close to camp, enjoying spa treatments and taking in the scenery from a private deck. glamping destination by Forbes, the Resort hicle (ATV) ride, racing across fields and at Paws Up is a 37,000-acre ranch with down dirt roads. The ATV tour is for all lev- book and listening to the sounds of the gets, thanks to the support and encourage- wooden homes, luxury tents and plenty of els: I was a relative beginner, while my river. When we returned, we asked if he ment of the staff. activities for everyone in the family to enjoy. brother has years of experience. At the was relaxed. His response: “Quite.” More advanced shooters can take aim at The resort “found that there was a missing start of the ride, I was careful going around sporting clays, where you travel across a niche in the market for luxury hospitality in each turn. By the end, however, I was gun- For horse lovers course in the mountains and shoot at mov- Montana and [determined] that luxury ning the ATV through mud piles and delib- My mother and I have enjoyed horseback ing targets. Prior knowledge of guns, how- camping — now called glamping — was the erately lifting the machine off the ground. riding for most of our lives, so we couldn’t ever, is not necessary to enjoy the rifle best way to establish that,” said Amelia During these adventures, my uncle — a wait for this part of the trip. We spent several range. And don’t worry; the riflery activities Robertson, resort spokesperson, in an email. 72-year-old with Parkinson’s disease — sat hours on the trails in the mountains, and we are too far away from the campgrounds to The Resort at Paws Up got its name outside the cabin in the sun, reading a led 30 cows from one end of the ranch to the scare the youngins (or even the fish).

PHOTO BY RESORT AT PAWS UP other. Real devotees can enjoy wagon team driving and wrangling. Relax at the spa But you don’t have to know how to ride If living in a lodge or luxurious tent is a horse at all. The ranch offers lessons and still too outdoorsy for you, spend the day guided trail rides. Kids can ride ponies in at the spa center. You can enjoy a massage, an enclosed arena, and all ages can enjoy other spa treatments and yoga classes with carriage rides. the sounds of the wind and birds in the Additionally, there is a new equestrian pro- background, while the rest of your family gram for those who want to learn more about is driving through mud in an ATV or stand- interacting with the large animals. The re- ing in the river trying to catch fish. sort’s equestrian manager leads “horse whis- Dogs are also welcome at the spa center, pering” mindfulness sessions that teach peo- with a complimentary massage available ple how to establish “authentic and life- for them with any 60-minute spa service. changing equine connections,” as the website puts it. If you go There are no hotel rooms at the Resort Target practice at Paws Up. Instead, there are lodges with Paws Up also has a “Wild West”-themed space for up to eight guests and tents for rifle range. Halfway through the week, my up to six. Nature on a silver platter: Cabins at the Resort at Paws Up include a hot tub, a fire- whole family went to the shooting range. Homes begin at $441 per night per person, place and Wi-Fi. Even the resort’s tents are luxurious, with chandeliers and en suite My uncle, despite recent back surgery bathrooms. and a shaky hand, was able to hit the tar- See GLAMPING, page 22 FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Leisure & Travel 21 Laos, Southeast Asia’s spiritual heart By Don Mankin quiet and shady streets, and world-class din- houses and numerous shops selling the at dawn. In this tradition, hundreds of Bud- As our boat glided silently up the wide ing and shopping. high-quality handicrafts and art for which dhist monks, with shaved heads and vivid Mekong River, I dozed off in the breeze. Oc- Established in the 14th century and still Luang Prabang is known: hand-woven silk, saffron-colored robes, walk silently down casionally I opened my eyes to look at the one of Asia’s best-preserved former capi- saa paper (from mulberry bark) and silver the street in the early morning mist, past lush scenery gliding by, the children playing tals, it is surrounded by a countryside of jewelry. These shops attract high-end kneeling locals and tourists. in the water, and the fisherman in their slim lush mountains, waterfalls, caves and shoppers, including Mick Jagger, whose Most place small handfuls of sticky rice boats tossing their nets into the river. rivers. The town is an intimate, living mu- photo can be found in more than one shop. in the monks’ black lacquered bowls. My mind drifted as I let the sights, seum of life, culture and architecture in a These donations make up a significant por- sounds and fragrances of the river wash beautiful, serene setting. Ceremonial rice to French pastries tion of the monks’ daily diet and are said to the chatter from my mind. During my visit to Luang Prabang, I loved Another one of my favorite activities was I was on a slow boat just a few miles down- to wander down its leafy lanes and hidden watching the daily alms-giving ceremony See LAOS, page 22 stream from Luang Prabang, the ancient pathways. Often, my explorations lead me PHOTO © GALYNA ANDRUSHKO, DREAMSTIME capital of Laos, on the last full day of my most to ornate temples tucked away in quaint recent visit. Laos, a former French protec- neighborhoods among simple houses and torate and one of my favorite destinations in sleepy cafes. The temples, rarely crowded, the world, is the soul of Southeast Asia. are perfect places for reflection and medita- Under Communist control since 1975, tion, whether you’re a Buddhist or not. Laos has been largely overlooked by West- I also made sure to climb the steps that ern tourists for the past 30 years. Because it lead to the temple at the top of Phousi Hill to is relatively isolated and has no beach re- watch the reflection of the setting sun in the sorts, it’s still an underdeveloped country, orange waters of the Mekong. From the top only now awakening to its tourism potential. of the hill, the highest point in Luang Pra- As a result, it remains a sleepy, gracious bang at over 300 feet, you can see the entire country that offers an excellent opportuni- town, two rivers, the surrounding hills and ty to experience life in Southeast Asia as it the spires of several temples in the distance. once was. After sunset, I descended the stairs and wandered through the night market on Capital charms Sisavangvong Road, the bustling main Located at the confluence of the Mekong street that runs through the heart of town and Nam Khan Rivers in Northern Laos, and the tourist district. Buddhist temples and a night marketplace illuminate the ancient capital city of Luang Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Her- Sisavangvong Road is lined on both Prabang. Located in northern Laos on the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, the low-key itage Site with classic Buddhist temples, sides with inexpensive restaurants, guest- tourist spot reflects life as it once was throughout Southeast Asia. Bring the natural benefits of sunlight indoors. Ever since the first human went into a dark cave and built a fire, people have realized the importance of proper indoor lighting. Unfortunately, since Edison invented the light bulb, lighting technology has remained relatively prehistoric. Modern light fixtures do little to combat many symptoms of improper lighting, such as eyestrain, dryness or burning. As more and more of us spend longer hours in front of a computer monitor, the results are compounded…and the effects of indoor lighting are not necessarily limited to physical well-being. 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several activities per person during the stay. “You don’t have to wait until summer to Reservations and activities are available Glamping Guests can purchase additional activities. have your family reunion,” Robertson said. throughout the year, from fly fishing in the From page 20 The ranch provides transportation to And you also don’t have to wait for the summer to skiing in the winter. and luxury tents begin at $470 per night per and from the Missoula airport, a savings of coronavirus to recede. The resort is cur- The closest airport is the Missoula Inter- person. The cost includes daily breakfast, $150 in cab fare. Additionally, vans drive rently open and practicing social distancing national Airport. For more information lunch and dinner, along with alcoholic and guests to activities during the day and in for your safety, but check cdc.gov for cur- about Paws Up, visit pawsup.com or call 1- non-alcoholic drinks. The rates also include the evenings. rent travel recommendations. 877-580-6343.

Upscale restaurants and excellent bak- of them devout Buddhists, have visited the If you go Laos eries abound, a legacy from the many cliff’s caves for four centuries to offer Luang Prabang has many attractive, inex- From page 21 years that Laos was a French protectorate. small statues of the Buddha. Thousands of pensive, small boutique hotels. I recommend ensure a good life for the donors. statues of all sizes, materials and styles the Maison Dalabua (maisondalabua.com), a Afterwards, I visited the morning mar- Limestone caves perch in niches in the rock, on ledges or short walk from the tourist district, or the ket on a narrow lane leading down to the Several miles upstream on the Mekong crevices in the dusky caves. The overall ef- Grand Luang Prabang (grandluangpra- Mekong. The variety, color and abun- are the Pak Ou Caves, accessible only by fect is both reverent and spooky. bang.com). The latter, located just outside of dance of the produce, much of it unfamil- boat. As you pound through the current, The Kuang Si waterfalls and pools are town, provides a shuttle to and from town. iar, is impressive, stirring my appetite for the riverbank teems with life. about a 45-minute drive south of Luang Both cost less than $100 per night. the bountiful buffet waiting for me back at Women wash laundry, men tend crops Prabang. You can hike up a steep trail For upscale dining, I recommend 3 my hotel. on the gently sloping banks, and children along the falls for a spectacular view of the Nagas (3-nagas.com) and L’Elephant (ele- Luang Prabang even has a cuisine all its splash in the shallows, washing the fami- countryside, then descend and cool off phant-restau.com). A less fancy and expen- own, featuring fish from the Mekong, local ly’s water buffalo. Boats from China ferry with a refreshing swim in the turquoise sive, but still excellent, choice for lunch, is greens grown on its bank, water buffalo staples, furniture and machinery to towns pools at the base of the falls while fish nib- Khaiphaen (facebook.com/Khaiphaen), stew, purple sticky rice, and a fiery condi- and villages along the river. ble at your toes. run by an organization founded by Friends ment called jaew bawng, a paste made from After an hour or so, a towering lime- When I visited the falls last October, I International that helps street children in pounded buffalo skin, garlic and chilies. stone cliff appears. Local people, almost all returned to Luang Prabang via a lunch Laos. Menu items range from $5 to $7. cruise on the Mekong. As the boat slowly MARK YOUR CALENDAR The Mekong cruise to the caves was made its way back, I sat for a couple of run by Khopfa Mekong Cruise, khopfa-

May+ DANCING WITH A PARTNER hours in a state of what I call Mekong mekong-cruise.com/kuang-si-cruise. Cost: meditation. My mind drifted between Grab your roommate and learn some dance moves! Dances $15. thinking about many things and not think- For more information and photos, see include the fox trot, swing, tango, waltz, cha-cha and more. Practice sessions are ing at all. Don Mankin’s website, adventuretransfor- available for free online, with instruction costing $1 to $3 per video. To learn But it kept returning to the most salient mations.com. He is scheduled to lead a trip more, check out dancewithnancy.com. thought of all: How soon would I be able to to Northern Thailand and Laos, including return to this magically serene and seduc- Luang Prabang, in the fall of 2021. For tive place? more information, go to explorer-x.com. 30% OFF SALE WINDOWS & DOORS

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A Feed More volunteer delivers food — and a hug. Our cover story continues Style on page 24. How flowers survive social distancing By Lela Martin to flower, they spread pollen to many plants, PHOTO BY LELA MARTIN Amid these times of distancing from a phenomenon called cross pollination. other people, perhaps we can learn from Cross pollination ensures genetic diver- the intricate relationships in nature, in- sity and the ability of plants to adapt to cluding the one between flowers and the changing conditions. Even though about bees who pollinate them. 10% to 15% of flowering plants are predom- Since plants permanently “shelter in inantly self-fertilizing, bees play a part place,” they have had to develop the means here as well by moving the pollen within a to reproduce. Pollination is the symbiotic single flower. relationship between plants that are fertil- See GARDENING, page 25 ized and pollinators that do the fertilizing (and are rewarded with pollen and nectar). Although birds, some mammals and many insects, including ants, flies and bee- Pollinators, including bees and butter- flies, are responsible for about a third of tles, inadvertently move pollen through all foods and beverages. To protect Vir- close contact, bees are the most prolific ginia’s vital bees, reduce or eliminate pollen carriers. As bees move from flower pesticides in your yard.

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© 2020 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. 84105 24 Arts & Style | Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS PHOTO BY FEED MORE applications. (SNAP is the federal Supple- Feed More mental Nutrition Assistance Program, for- From page 3 merly known as food stamps.) south Richmond clients once a week. “One Earlene Turner, a licensed practical of best parts is whenever they meet me at nurse retired from Children’s Hospital, de- the door [prior to the pandemic], they livers meals to homes in Hopewell, Peters- have a big smile and friendly greeting,” burg, Dinwiddie and Prince George on Howe said. “They are very appreciative. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Turner, who That is why I do it.” said she would go crazy to just “sit at Carlton Weinstein retired from Cigna home,” noted, “Delivering meals is more HealthCare as a mental health counselor than food; it’s connecting and helping peo- in 2016 and signed up with Feed More. ple overcome isolation. Every Wednesday, he’s stationed in the “I love taking care of babies and the eld- distribution center, where he bags gro- erly, many of whom are alone. These peo- ceries, discards dented cans, checks sell- ple can’t go out and do for themselves. by dates and loads vans with food. They look forward to someone coming in “I feel like I’m accomplishing some- and talking for a few minutes. It is reward- thing,” Weinstein said. “It feels good know- ing for both of us.” ing this is going to help somebody.” To CEO Pick, Feed More’s staff and vol- Betsy Blandford, a retired elementary unteers, providing people with food is a school teacher, learned about hunger first- cause, not a job. hand from her students. “Elementary kids “We’re on this Earth for a short period will tell you when they’re hungry,” she of time,” Pick said. “Do all you can to fill said. “Kids get cranky, and soon you find up your life with growth, and constantly out that they are hungry.” challenge yourself with new opportuni- Every Monday, she and 10 to 30 volun- ties. teers pack up almost 1,500 meals for “Know that real joy comes in giving to Meals on Wheels deliveries and organize others. Know that you left no growth and them for special diets, such as clients who no good deeds undone at the end of your cannot chew, are vegetarian or don’t eat time on Earth.” pork. “It’s an amazing operation,” she Feed More needs more Meals on Wheels said. drivers. To volunteer, email volunteer@Feed- She also takes a laptop to the Ephesus More.org or call (804) 521-2500. To receive Seventh-Day Adventist Church food bank food, call Feed More’s Hunger Hotline at Volunteers at Feed More cheerfully pack nonperishable items to be distributed to each week to help people with their SNAP (804) 521-2500, x 631. needy families. FIFTYPLUS — MAY 2020 www.FiftyPlusRichmond.com | Arts & Style 25

drop of honey. The beebread remains sta- Gardening ble indefinitely as a protein-rich food to From page 23 feed the larvae. After a flowering plant is fertilized, fruit Royal jelly is secreted from glands in the can develop. About one-third of the food heads of worker bees and is fed to all bee lar- we eat is a result of pollination. Using vae, whether they become drones (males), some “buzzwords” and concepts from workers (sterile females), or queens (fertile today’s headlines in other contexts may females). After three days, the drone and help explain the pollination relationship. worker larvae are no longer fed with royal jelly, but queen larvae continue to be fed it Flowers produce pollen throughout their development. Much as a grocery store sells food, cone-bearing and flowering plants produce Nectar is a sweet reward pollen. The powdery, sometimes sticky, Nectar, a sugary liquid produced in substance is often yellow, but pollen can plant glands called nectaries, attracts and be a rainbow of colors depending on the rewards pollinators. Worker bees drink plant. the nectar by sucking it with their tongues, In flowering plants, pollen is produced and store additional amounts in a pouch- in the anthers, part of the stamen within like structure called a crop (also known as the flower. Each pollen grain contains the a honey stomach or honey sack), which is “male” reproductive cell that can fertilize different from their food stomach. Nectar the “female” part of the flower (stigma, is a bee’s main source of carbohydrates, We are here for you. part of the pistil). Pollen is moved either water and essential minerals. by the wind or by insect or other animal And, of course, bees also convert nectar pollinators who contribute to community into honey. Foraging worker bees fly back spread. to the hive and regurgitate the nectar to quarantined house bees, passing it on Bees collect pollen from bee to bee for about 30 minutes until Think of the foraging worker bees as it gradually turns to honey. the InstaCart essential employees who House bees mix the nectar with en- pick up food from many groceries and de- zymes and deposit it into a honeycomb liver it. Bumblebees (called “bumbabees” cell, which is like a wax jar, where it re- by my two-year-old grandson) are some of mains exposed to air for a while, allowing the more than 3,500 species of native bees some of the water to evaporate. that provide pollination, especially in our The bees help the process by fanning own yards. Honeybees, although not na- the open cells with their wings, as the tive, perform more than 80% of all pollina- honey becomes stickier. The cell contain- tion of cultivated crops. ing the resulting honey is later capped with beeswax and kept for future food for Flowers entice bees the drones and worker bees. It takes at Flowers must make themselves attrac- least eight bees all their lives to make one tive to the bees who assist them. Bees are teaspoonful of honey. most attracted to the neon signs of bright white, yellow and blue flowers as well as Protect the workers flowers with contrasting ultraviolet pat- To protect bees on the front lines, re- Find news, entertainment and local terns. Blue-flowering plants appealing to duce or eliminate your use of pesticides. bees include salvia, Russian sage, lavender Flatten the curve of bee deaths. Celebrate resources for these challenging times. and vitex. Extra-tempting benefits include National Pollinator Week from home from fresh, mild and pleasant odors. June 22 to 28, 2020. For more information, Honeybees unintentionally collect go to pollinator.org. pollen on their hairy bodies, including Although Bumblebee Jamboree 2020 has their eyes. To groom themselves, bees use been cancelled, mark June 19, 2021, on your their legs. Researchers at Georgia Tech calendar for next year’s local pollinator event. found that a bee could shed about 15,000 Lela Martin is a Master Gardener with pollen grains in two minutes as it brushed the Chesterfield County office of the Virginia itself clean — talk about a super spreader! Cooperative Extension. Bees move a portion of that pollen to special structures on their hind legs called pollen baskets. You may see foraging bees FROM PAGE 26 returning to the hive with bright yellow ANSWERS TO balls of pollen hanging from these pollen baskets. CROSSWORD

MARSH PSD IRIS Pollen provides protein EL I TE ACED TACO Just as humans eat protein, bees feed on GOFOR POL I CEMEN AFFORDAR I VER floral pollen as their source of protein, fat, TSP OSP LATS vitamins and minerals. Bees refine the EGG I OS TIKI chemical nature of pollen, turning it into AFFRONTOFTHEBUS DI I EAT AU I I NE beebread (also known as perga) and then AFF I RMHANDSHAKE converting that into royal jelly. METS ESS I SA Beebread starts with the fresh pollen SHES EVE RAT AFF I XERUPPER gathered by honeybees, mixed with nectar STEGOSAUR LOONY and digestive juices, packed in the empty HOME AMAN NORSE vpm.org/resources comb cells in the hive, and sealed with a YOUR ALE ANTES 26 Subscribe for half-price. See p. 19 MAY 2020 — FIFTYPLUS Crossword Puzzle HOW TO PLACE Daily crosswords can be found on our website: www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com CLASSIFIED ADS Click on Puzzles Plus All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds Affective By Stephen Sherr Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text 12345 678 9 10 11 12

and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for 13 14 15 16 Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington 17 18 19 and Richmond editions). Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your 20 21 ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum 22 23 24 25 26 length). The website will calculate this amount for you. 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Note: Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for 34 35 36 37 38

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