A closer look at how Colorado Springs’ vibrant centers are reinventing themselves to better serve older adults
Local veteran bounces back after thoughts of suicide
How to spot and report elder abuse, especially during the holidays
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Day 1: Depart from Colorado Springs for San Antonio. Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the Paseo del Rio.
Day 2: Take a sightseeing tour of the city from a local guide. Explore the area’s rich history with a visit to Mission San Jose, followed by shopping at an authentic Mexican Marketplace. Later visit the Alamo, the world-famous fort where Texans fought for independence from Mexico.
Day 3: Travel through the Texas Hill Country for a visit to the Lyndon Baines Johnson National Historic Park. Begin in Johnson City and explore the boyhood home of LBJ, our nation’s 36th President. Visit Stonewall, LBJ Ranch and the Texas White House. Enjoy an included lunch in Fredericksburg before visiting the National Museum of the Pacific War.
Day 4: The day begins at the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum in Austin. Experience the life and times of Lyndon B. Johnson and learn how legislation signed by LBJ affects you today. Enjoy lunch at The Salt Lick, Texas BBQ at its finest. Then visit Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, the internationally recognized botanic garden and research center. End the evening with a farewell dinner.
Day 5: After breakfast, depart for the airport for your flight home to Colorado Springs.
*Based
Day 1: Arrive in Salt Lake City, often called the “Crossroads of the West.” This bustling modern city is surrounded by mountains and features the historic Temple Square.
Day 2: Following breakfast you will be treated by the sounds of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir at their weekly live broadcast performance. Then board your motorcoach and travel through the Island Park Region. Our destination is West Yellowstone, the gateway to Yellowstone National Park’s west entrance. Check into our hotel for a two-night stay and a delicious dinner.
Day 3: Have your winter gear ready and your cameras packed as our private Snowcoach picks you up at your hotel and takes you into Yellowstone National Park. This 60-mile-long once-in-a-lifetime journey features a narrated tour to legendary geyser Old Faithful. There are many stops along the way including Madison Junction, Fountain Paint Pot and Biscuit Basin.
Day 4: Leaving Montana today, travel to the historic town of Jackson, Wyoming. En route, stop at the National Elk Refuge for an exhilarating open sleigh ride among the elk herd numbering in the thousands.
Day 5: Traveling south brings you through the rugged Snake River Canyon area before returning to Utah. Stop at the Utah Olympic Park for a tour of the facility which hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and continues to host World Cup events. Continue to Salt Lake City where your accommodations and a delicious farewell dinner await.
Day 6: After breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight home.
A 9-day breathtaking rail tour through spectacular Switzerland Switzerland by Rail is the perfect way to see Switzerland’s breathtaking mountains, charming mountain resorts, fascinating old towns and beautiful lakes—all while you relax in first-class aboard Switzerland’s famous trains. You’ll overnight in Zurich, the Lucerne area, Lausanne, Zermatt and St. Moritz.
One of the highlights of this Switzerland train tour is the journey aboard the Glacier Express from Zermatt, a picturesque cluster of rustic chalets beneath the majestic Matterhorn, to glitzy St. Moritz, one of the world’s most famous resorts. Another highlight is the journey aboard the Bernina Express from St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy. Traveling on the highest railway across the Alps, you’ll witness glistening glaciers, stunning mountain streams, alpine scenery, and tunnels and bridges that are engineering masterpieces.
Stunning scenery and thrilling train rides... there’s no better way to see scenic Switzerland! So grab your camera and get ready for an amazing vacation!
*Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $450. Price includes fully escorted tour, roundtrip airfare from Colorado Springs to Denver, lovely accommodations, baggage handling, breakfast each morning, 4 dinners, all transfers, first class seats on the trains, excursion in Lucerne, all taxes and surcharges. Deposit of $400 per person is due to secure booking; final payment due 5/15/23.
Depart for lovely Honolulu! Get ready for a fabulous sunset dinner cruise, followed by fireworks over Waikiki Harbor.
Day
Depart for a full day tour, including Pearl Harbor, the USS Missouri, the USS Arizona Memorial, a city tour of Honolulu and the National Cemetery of the Pacific in Punchbowl Crater.
Today we depart for Maui. The Valley Isle. The day is yours to relax or explore this picturesque Hawaiian town.
Experience Maui up close on this full day tour of the island.
Enjoy a whale watching excursion today with a certified Marine Naturalist.
This morning it’s on to the Big Island, the largest and geologically most diverse of the Hawaiian archipelago.
Enjoy a full day tour of the Big Island including Volcanoes National Park, black sand beaches, beautiful waterfalls, the southernmost point of the United States, and much more.
This afternoon it’s on to the lovely island of Kauai, known as the Garden Isle.
Day 9: See the north part of the island including Hanalei Valley, Wailua Falls, Moloaa Bay, taro fields and more. Day 10: Today we will visit Waimea Canyon. We’ll also see Spouting Horn, Koloa Sugar Mill and cruise down the Wailua River on our way to the famous Fern Grotto.
Day 11: Our last day in Hawaii is yours to enjoy on your own..
*Based
your
tour Mount Hood and Timberline Lodge. Once back in Portland enjoy a guided tour of the city.
Portland for the spectacular Columbia River Gorge to visit Vista House and stop at beautiful Multnomah Falls. Arrive at Pendleton and enjoy dinner at Hamley Steakhouse.
Tour Pendleton Woolen Mills and Fort Walla Walla.
jet boat trip
Day 1: Depart Colorado Springs for Boston, MA. Meet your tour manager in the hotel lobby for a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Begin the day with a sightseeing tour of historic Boston then travel up the coast to Kennebunkport, one of Maine’s coastal jewels then continue to Portland, Maine which boasts a vibrant waterfront.
Day 3: Start at the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum. Take a 1.5 mile long ride along the Eastern Promenade of Casco Bay followed by a scenic cruise of the bay.
Day 4: Travel west into New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Experience towering peaks, stunning scenery, quaint towns and villages before boarding the Mount Washington Cog Railway.
Day 5: Begin the day aboard the North Conway Scenic Railroad then travel the Kancamagus Scenic Byway as it follows a beautiful path through the White Mountains. Cross into Vermont to view the spectacular scenery of the area.
Day 6: Travel to the town of Stockbridge in the culturally rich Berkshires region. Visit the Norman Rockwell Museum then enjoy some free time before continuing to the incredible Foxwoods Resort Casino.
Day 7: Board the Essex Steam Train as you pass through some of the most beautiful country in the state. Later board the riverboat Becky Thatcher for a relaxing trip up the Connecticut River.
Day 8: Pass through the state of Rhode Island to Plymouth, MA climb aboard your sea-going vessel for a whale watching excursion. Pay a visit to Plymouth Rock where our forefathers first settled on American soil.
After breakfast, depart Boston for Colorado Springs.
*Based on double occupancy. Price includes roundtrip airfare from Colorado Springs, a fully escorted tour aboard a luxury motor coach, 8 nights lovely accommodations, 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners, all transfers, and transportation, all attractions as described, all taxes and fees.
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Life After 50 is published by Pendant Publishing, Inc. dba BEACON Senior News P.O. Box 3895 Grand Junction, CO 81502 Phone: 970-243-8829
Life After 50 celebrates age and brings hope and help to seniors in the Pikes Peak Region and those who serve them. Life After 50 is published at the beginning of the month and is distributed at more than 250 locations throughout Colorado Springs and the surrounding communities in El Paso and Teller counties.
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One happy senior plays drop-in table tennis at Westside Community Center.
Photo by Lynn Jacobs
Local senior centers are reinventing themselves to better serve older adults
In nature, there is no waste. Everything decomposes to continue the nutrient cycle. Composting is a way of speeding up the process
And how the Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center can help
How one local veteran bounced back after thoughts of suicide
This simple recipe is the perfect balance of hearty yet nutritious flavor in prepackaged ingredients
Winslow Court offers bright, hopeful, resort-style living for seniors who have a lot of life left to live
Cats are known to be picky eaters, but here are some ways to help overcome the habit
Silver Key’s Thanksgiving food drive provides a complete meal in a bag for seniors in need
What would motivate a skinny 17 year old to hide weights in his closed hands so he could join the Navy during World War II?
This song made famous by the Jackson 5 proved to be a godsend for writer Bobby Day’s career
Whether you’re a Black Friday enthusiast or hater, follow these tips for deep discounts on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and beyond
The Power of Thank
A basic principle of improv is to answer “Yes, and…” building on the story of the per former before you—not refuting what they say but adding to it. This is my “Yes, and” to senior centers.
As you will see when you turn the page to Lynn Jacobs’ cover story or know from your personal experience, there are top-notch senior centers in this area that go above and beyond to meet seniors where they are while providing enriching experiences. You can dance to the oldies, eat delicious food you didn’t have to cook or play pickleball. You could’ve even seen the immersive Van Gogh exhibit in Denver last year. Best of all, you can connect with like-minded seniors. They’ll become your community.
Yes, and…we need another. Maybe two. Not in place of our thriving senior gathering spots, but in addition to them.
I’ve lived here long enough to see Falcon grow from a sleepy little burg to bustling suburbia. You can hardly tell where the Springs stops and Falcon begins. Add in the emergence of Powers Boulevard as a major thoroughfare on the east side of the city. And yet, where is a senior center out east?
We do have a senior center to the north—the thriving Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center. It was bursting at the seams until a recent move offered more spacious accommodations—for now. The U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado State Demography Office predict that Monu ment’s seniors aged 65 and up will increase by 30% in the decade ending in 2025, with an addi tional 30% growth from 2025 to 2040.
If this plays out as projected, Tri-Lakes could serve twice as many seniors monthly—more than 600—by 2025. Additionally, the folks at Tri-Lakes have noticed that some seniors would
prefer to go up to Monument than drive to the center of the city, with its trickier traffic and parking considerations. Tri-Lakes meets a need, and I’m thankful they are there. But wouldn’t a senior center that’s north, but not that far north, make sense?
Woodland Park’s senior organization is a true asset to their tightly knit community. Three of the centers are located reasonably close togeth er, in the south and central areas. Southernmost is Fountain Valley Senior Center. Ten miles from that is Westside Community Center. There are only three miles between Westside and the Col orado Springs Senior Center.
Then there is a senior center desert. There’s a whopping 21 miles (and a large and growing population) between the Colorado Springs Senior Center and Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center in Monument.
One of my friends recently moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, population 111,000. She re ports three senior centers. In contrast, Colorado Springs has 480,000 people with only two cen ters located within the city limits. Proportionate ly, it seems clear that our area is underserved.
At a recent Innovations in Aging listening session, another participant gave voice to my thoughts.
“Seniors don’t want to drive across town. So many people are in the north and east,” said local resident Sarah Lee.
Her idea: “Our network of libraries are spread across the city. What if the city would have a vision of senior centers at the libraries?”
Lee thinks this could be cost-effective and would ensure that seniors would never be far from a center no matter where they live.
That’s thinking outside the box. If not that solution, hopefully there’s another, as the pop ulation of El Paso County seniors continues to rise, day by day, year after year. ■
Rhonda Wray, Managing Editor Rhonda@LaFifty.com
I know that our patrons appreciate being able to get their monthly Life After 50. Usually, I run out of copies before the end of the month. I appreciate that the library is given this resource that helps our community. Thank you for what you do.
- Stacey Marin, Pikes Peak Library District
Thank you again for supporting the inaugural Pickleball Tournament, Community Picnic and Prize Give-Away. Your gracious contribu tion of Life after 50’s August issue was well received and much appreciated! Many of our 500 residents have now been introduced to your magazine.
- The Retreat at Banning Lewis Ranch
I just went online and saw the October issue. Thank you so much for highlighting District 20 as a great place to work for those of us over 50.
- Joey A. Eisenhut, Academy District 20
I was 15 years old the first time I was inter viewed by a publication. Since then, I have been interviewed and quoted by many news papers, magazines, radio and TV programs. Life After 50 is the first publication in 40 years to accurately quote a statement I have made [in August’s Question of the Month]! That’s a big deal to me!
- Craig J.I’m a longtime reader of Life After 50 and I took exception to Joyce’s comment about Laughing Matters. I see nothing wrong with the jokes. I’m 79 and my wife is 81. So please ignore her comment and continue putting some giggles in there for us!
- Anonymous
In response to Joyce C. and her letter criti cizing the jokes section: I find them hilarious and hope you continue to print them all. Your publication has the best jokes. Keep up the good work. I’m a blonde female and have never taken offense.
- Faye L.WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
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To some people, senior centers evoke a vague notion of drowsy knitting nooks and bingo. While pinochle and crochet clubs may be among the hosted activities, today’s senior centers are vibrant meeting places that offer a wide variety of services for older adults ranging from nutri tion and wellness programs to social and recre ational activities.
Like the communities they serve, many local senior centers find themselves in flux as they strive to keep pace with the number of retirees in the Pikes Peak Region. Some are expanding while others are relocating or changing ownership.
The five senior centers in the area operate dif ferently, but each focuses on keeping older adults active and engaged. Here’s how they’re reinvent ing themselves to appeal to seniors of multiple generations and what makes each worth visiting.
Owned by the city and operated by YMCA staff, the Colorado Springs Senior Center offers dozens of fitness, health, arts and technology classes, and learning opportunities for five gen erations of seniors.
“The baby boomers want something differ ent from their parents,” said Director Lyndsey Pouncey. “It keeps us on our toes because we want to serve each generation. We want to say yes to all the ideas they have.”
Astrology, jam making, portraiture and pyrography are just a few of the center’s class offerings. Patrons can also learn about Medicare options and get help with their smartphones at various lectures and programs.
One of the most popular classes, according to Pouncey, is weekly line dancing.
“Fifty-five people line dancing together is a great way to start your day,” she said. “If I need a pick-me-up, I’ll join them!”
Located at 1514 N. Hancock in the Golf Acres Shopping Center behind Patty Jewett Golf Course, the Colorado Springs Senior Center serves 200-300 local seniors daily. Building plans are underway for a much larger facility on the opposite side of its three-acre lot to better serve its growing membership.
The new building, which is scheduled to be completed by 2026, will be designed specifically for local seniors’ needs. Pouncey said patrons advocated for certain changes, such as an art studio with natural light. The new senior center will have not one, but three.
“Natural light is very important to our artists, and now we won’t have to play roshambo to see which class gets the best studio,” said Pouncey.
Services will continue at the current location until the new one is up and running. Although the expansion will better position the organiza tion to serve more seniors, Pouncey recognizes that there are pockets of older adults in the area who find the midtown location too distant to easily utilize. She encourages these folks to take advantage of free Silver Sneaker programs and other senior programming at their closest YMCA.
Line dancing to upbeat music provides a morn ing pick-me-up at the Colorado Springs Senior Center.
Story and Photos by Lynn Jacobs
Conversation and crafts connects women at Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center.
Many events at the senior center are free. Others cost anywhere from $1 for a lecture to $60 for a six-week class. All classes are free for seniors 90 and older, and scholarships are available for those who can’t afford the fees. Drop-ins are welcome and encouraged, and staff is always available to lead tours of the facility.
The city’s northern senior nexus is also navigat ing big changes while also ramping up services.
Silver Key acquired the Monument Center at 66 Jefferson St. in June, forming a merger with Tri-Lakes Silver Alliance Senior Center.
In August, the new entity ditched their old modular building and moved into a spacious area within the Grace Best Education Center in down town Monument.
The former elementary school boasts larger, sunnier rooms and better parking, said Programs and Activities Director Sue Walker, 59. And soon the number of senior services will increase dra matically.
“Because of the merger with Silver Key, we will now have behavioral health, case manage ment, federal food program assistance and mental health awareness programs,” said Walker.
Being as the organization serves around 350 clients monthly, sharing a building with other organizations isn’t ideal. Because children still utilize the building for various programs, all doors are kept locked and members must buzz and wait to be let in. The organization continues to raise funds for a dedicated freestanding build ing they call their “Dream 2025” senior center.
Volunteers are integral to the senior center’s operations and are needed to run its affiliated thrift store a few miles away in Palmer Lake. By the end of the year, Walker expects to begin serving at least three lunches a week at their new location while continuing to offer the ac tivities, clubs and fitness classes they’ve always provided.
Fountain Valley Senior Center offers several programs not often seen at other facilities. In addition to fitness classes, day trips and clubs, the center’s fleet of eight vans offer rides to folks over 60 who needed help getting to and from appointments.
In June, they offered 900 rides, said Executive Director Mark Bowers, 60.
Emmett, a licensed therapy labradoodle, greets each of the center’s 560 members at 5745 Southmoor Dr. in Fountain. Silver Key serves dai ly hot lunches. Dinner dances are held quarterly.
321 Pine St. After paying modest dues of $20 per year, members can attend all clubs and class es for free.
The high-elevation senior hub has an unusual business model.
“We’re all volunteers up here,” explained Board President Jerry Burnham, 73. “There’s no paid staff.”
About seven years ago, the center’s paid director resigned. The nine board members then decided to split the director’s duties between them and forgo hiring a new administrator.
“It used to be that pretty much all the funds we raised ended up going to pay the director,” said Burnham. “Now we can use funds to strictly benefit the members.”
Once a month guests are transported to Cripple Creek to “play the one-armed bandit,” said Bowers. The center is also a licensed bingo provider, which means they can award cash priz es at their biweekly games.
Funded primarily by the Pikes Peak Council on Aging and federal grants, the nonprofit center is always accepting donations. Its volunteer-run thrift store next door also raises money for pro gramming.
With only two full-time staff members, the center is always in need of helpers.
“We need volunteers to answer the phones, work in the office, drive the bus and work at the thrift store,” Bowers said.
Though the building was spruced up during the COVID shutdown, there are no expansion plans at this time.
“I tell my wife every time I buy a lottery ticket that if I win the big one, part of it will go to a new senior center,” said Bowers.
The Springs’ mountain neighbors do things a little differently at Woodland Park Senior Center,
The senior center’s 143 members always find free coffee and donuts when they show up for classes, events or just visiting. Most days, Burn ham can be found playing dominoes, cribbage and euchre with other game-loving members.
The center always needs volunteers with spe cial skills to teach classes. And Burnham said he’s no micromanager.
“One time a lady asked me if she could show a movie one afternoon a week,” Burnham recalled. “If someone volunteers to do something, I leave ’em alone.”
While the Westside Community Center serves more than just seniors, many older adults meet there for Silver Key’s meal program and activities like pickleball.
The city stepped in to manage the community center at 1628 W. Bijou St. earlier this year after Woodmen Valley Chapel declined to renew their contract.
For now, the center’s hours have been reduced and programming scaled back while a hunt for a program director is underway.
Patrons eagerly anticipate the day when the center’s hours are back to normal and the re structuring is complete. A working committee of citizens will offer input on future operations.
Some patrons feel the City has been slow to make a new plan. “It should have all been decid ed by now,” said community member Rick Lins.
According to the city’s website, a new center director and additional staff are expected to be installed with the intention to expand offerings and hours by 2023. ■
For a monthly schedule of senior center activities, along with contact information, see Fun After 50 on pages 38-39.
DANCING TOGETHER IS A GREAT WAY TO START YOUR DAY.Seniors team up to play doubles at Westside Community Center’s free drop-in table tennis. Tai chi enthusiasts at Tri-Lakes Senior Center find the slow movements help with balance.
he number of military veterans living in Colora do Springs is 10% higher than the national aver age, which means our community benefits from a skilled workforce with a strong work ethic and a self less mission to serve.
Unfortunately, many of these he roes also experience mental health issues stemming from traumas they experienced during their military service. According to the Veterans Administration, the veteran suicide rate in Colorado was higher than the national average in 2020.
Local veteran Timothy Gore, 55, thought fleetingly about suicide during his divorce in 2004, just be fore he retired from the Army and moved to Colorado.
“I thought it would be easier for my kids,” said Gore. “They’d get some insurance money and my daughter with Down syndrome wouldn’t have to go back and forth between me and my [estranged] wife.”
He quickly recognized those thoughts as falsehoods and never acted.
Gore received support from Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center
over the years.
In 2021, he ran 150 miles through the North Dakota Badlands to raise $50,000 for Mt. Carmel’s suicide prevention efforts. He also speaks five or six times a year for Mt. Carmel, which provides behav ioral health counseling to veter ans and lessons in practical skills such as finding a job and writing a resume.
In September, Gore completed service as Active Honorary Com mander of the Air Force Academy Athletic Department.
“[It was] so amazing to meet and collaborate with current, past and most of all future leaders of the Air and Space Forces,” he said. “I have so much gratitude for all that got me here and all that is to come!”
Gore says that staying active and serving others helps him manage his mental health. He’s making good choices at a time when suicide is on the rise among veterans.
He knows many veterans who’ve faced the same depressive thoughts and have died by suicide.
“People say the NBA, the NFL and Major League Baseball are the ultimate team sports,” said Mt. Car mel Chief Operating Officer Bob McLaughlin. “But the United States military is the ultimate team sport.”
Leave the team and you lose your bearings.
Gore blames himself for one sol dier under his command who was discharged and later took his life.
“I judged him as lazy. I thought he just wanted to get out of work,”
“IF ANYTHING WORKS, IT’S RELATIONSHIPS. IT’S ASKING SOMEBODY HOW THEY’RE DOING AND REACHING OUT.”
said Gore. “You don’t know where that person is in their head.”
Gore said most people think veterans who consider or com plete suicide do so because they feel hopeless. While that may be true for some, Gore explained that veterans think differently than their civilian peers.
“Veterans are here because of their service to others. When they think of suicide, they think, ‘This will help someone else.’ They don’t
think about getting help them selves,” said Gore.
That’s why reaching out and making connections is important.
“Some people will tell you noth ing really works. If somebody wants to do it, they’re going to do it,” he said. “If anything works, it’s rela tionships. It’s asking somebody how they’re doing and reaching out. It’s hard to do sometimes, but I think taking the risk and getting involved helps.” ■
Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center
Springs
Post 38, Fountain
Post 39,
Choose Home
Springs
Colorado Springs Veterans Centers Divide, Ft. Carson, & Monument
Colorado Springs Veteran Mental Health & Wellness Agency
Commemorative Air Force - Mile High Wing 303-728-4762
Crawford House (Temporary Housing)
Disabled American Veterans - Chapter 26
El Paso County Colorado Progressive Veterans
El Paso County Veterans Service Office
Family Care Center
Central & North
South & Woodland Park
East
Fleet Reserve Association Mile High Branch
GI Bill Hotline 888-442-4551
The Home Front Military Network (Resources & Emergency Financial Assistance) 719-434-1501
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Pikes Peak Chapter 719-521-1980
719-772-7000
MyHealtheVet Help Desk 877-327-0022
Peak Military Care Network 719-577-7417
Pikes Peak National Cemetery 719-391-6920
PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic 719-327-5660
River Deep Foundation (Adventure & Recreation) 303-881-0400
Rocky Mountain Human Services 855-838-7428
Rocky Mountain Warriors (Wilderness Therapy & Relaxation) 719-896-0310
UCCS Veterans Health & Trauma Clinic 719-255-8003
Veterans Administration Benefits 800-827-8000 Caregiver Support 800-260-3274 Clinic 719-327-5660
Health Benefits Hotline 877-222-8387
Veterans Crisis Line 800-273-8255
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4051, Colorado Springs 719-632-9874 Post 101, Colorado Springs 719-632-2776 Post 3917, Colorado Springs 719-392-8677 Post 7829, Monument 719-488-1902 Post 6461, Fountain 719-382-7957
Women Veterans of Colorado 719-387-1493
Wounded Warrior Project 719-377-9506
“VETERANS ARE HERE TO DO SERVICE TO OTHERS. SO THEY DON’T THINK ABOUT GETTING HELP THEMSELVES.”
Recipe courtesy of Dole.com
Servings: 4 Ingredients
1 cup dry instant brown rice
11/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 large ears fresh corn, silks and husks removed
11/2 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 Dole limes, juice only (about 3 tablespoons), divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 package DOLE® Chopped Chipotle & Cheddar Salad Kit
1 Dole avocado, peeled, pitted and thinly sliced
1 cup chopped Dole pineapple
Directions:
Prepare grill for direct grilling over medium-high heat. Prepare rice according to package instructions.
Brush all sides of chicken and corn with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place chicken and corn on hot grill rack; cover and cook 8 minutes, turning chicken once and corn frequently. Wait until grill marks appear and internal temperature of chicken reaches 165°F, then transfer chicken and corn to cutting board; let stand 5 minutes. Cut corn kernels from cobs into medium bowl. Slice chicken 1/4-inch thick crosswise.
Add 1 tablespoon lime juice, cilantro and paprika to corn; toss and fold in Parmesan cheese. In small bowl, whisk dressing from salad kit and remaining lime juice.
Serve rice in bowls topped with avocado, pineapple, chicken, corn mixture and remaining contents of salad kit drizzled with dressing mixture. ■
Winslow Court wins over residents with activities and family-like care in the heart of Colorado Springs
By G. L. YenneWhen adult children look for a senior community for older parents, they may not always find the right-sized property, the pre ferred zip code or even the hopedfor price. But they may walk into a lobby in a retirement center and be so impressed by the space, the light, the colorful flowers and the friendly front-desk employees that they’ll ex claim, “This is where Mom will live!”
This very thing happened recent ly to Winslow Court Family Advisor James Daugherty when a family came in to look at an apartment for their loved one. While they waited in the lobby, they concluded that Winslow was the right place for their mother, safe in the caring hands of the competent staff.
Winslow Court Retirement Com munity offers bright, hopeful, resort-style living for seniors who have a lot of life left to live.
This vibrant community is con veniently nestled in the heart of the city at 3920 E. San Miguel St. It serves veterans and seniors of Colorado Springs and surrounding communities with charming private apartments, a full social calendar and varying levels of support.
Independent living, assisted living and short-term care are all of fered here so community members
can live life on their own terms. Beloved pets are also allowed on the premises.
Every inch of Winslow’s charm ing apartments are designed for ac tive seniors and are ADA-approved.
Light housekeeping, same-day maintenance responses and monthto-month contracts are a few of the amenities, along with on-site laundry service, private transpor tation to and from appointments, a beauty salon and barber shop and a library.
For those with a hearty appe tite, Winslow offers all-day restau rant-style dining with many healthy choices and a full grill menu. Coffee and pastries in the Bistro are avail able 24 hours a day.
Winslow is part of an established neighborhood close to the Citadel Mall with plenty of shopping and dining options nearby. The commu nity has 24-hour staffing and con cierge services, along with security. There are plans to install a secure gated system to provide peace of mind for family members and an extra layer of security for residents.
Winslow is working on a pro gram to connect their family with nearby Mitchell High School students.
“We are a very accepted part of this community,” Daugherty said. “Many of our residents will sit out side and look forward to seeing the students walking to school.”
Forty staff members care for 102 residents in this Stellar Living residence. In the past five years, $4 million has been poured into renovations, such as step-in show ers in the updated bathrooms. The community area, a common space all residents share, has been greatly expanded, allowing for lots
of natural light.
There is a large raised garden bed which residents cultivate, with ma ture trees that provide shade from the sun. Other activities include daily exercise classes, bingo, music, art, puzzles, excursions and day trips.
The maintenance manager, ac tivities director, chef and front desk associate have served with shin ing hearts for a total of 46 years collectively. This consistency in key positions provides much-needed stability for residents who become like family.
Daugherty shared the story of an out-of-state resident who moved in recently after losing her longtime partner. Her family was very concerned about how she would adjust.
One month later she started talking to another resident. Now their love is blooming!
Costs start at $2,575 for one person in a shared two-bedroom studio up to $4,075 for a two-bed room suite.
For more information or to schedule a tour, call Daugherty at 719-597-1700, ext. 231. T
Putting a parent in assisted living is such a hard decision, and I never expected my mom to be a true part of the community. 6 months ago you would never have convinced me she would participate in music, bingo, exercises, activities - and she’s now fully engaging in it all! When I visit I can always find her in the community areas having fun and thriving, and I can’t thank the Winslow Court staff enough.
Colorado Springs
Honest, ethical dental care focused on your personal wants and needs.
We are going above and beyond to make sure you are safe from COVID exposure. As a non-profit organization, we have various grants to help support you!
Dear Ms. Kitty: My cat Charlie has always been a picky eater. He got sick and had to go to the vet. Now he acts like he wants to eat but licks his lips and just walks away. How can I help him?
Dear Finicky: Cats are known to be picky eaters, but with good reason. Outdoor cats hunt solo, rather than in packs like dogs. The wrong food could kill them, so being wary of
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new foods helps them survive.
Cats do best on a diet that’s roughly half protein and about a third fat, with very few carbohy drates. A high-quality diet with pro tein as the first ingredient and no byproducts or fillers is usually best.
Stress may also lower cat appetites. Most cats return home after a vet visit in a fear state—from the ride, the handling and invasive proce dures. Stroking him with a piece of your clothing helps remove foreign scents. Playing with him can reduce his fear and help him settle back into home life, especially if you have other cats.
As most vets will tell you, eating something is better than not eating. The most thoughtful prescription diet won’t do any good if Charlie won’t eat it. For example, there are at least five different companies that provide prescription diets for kidney disease alone, including kibble, pâté, chunks in gravy and even a raw for mula. If Charlie doesn’t like one kind, try asking your vet about another.
You can gradually transition back to that prescribed diet later.
Gently warming cold food from the fridge is always a good idea, as a cat in the wild would not usually eat chilled food.
Congested cats can’t smell their food, which may decrease their appetites. A fishy-smelling food can sometimes help with that.
Baby food often revives a cat’s appetite. Just be sure to get a brand like Beechnut that contains only meat and broth without harm ful spices or fillers. Many compa nies are making pureed food with the same consistency as baby food. Look for packets with the word “mousse” on the label, or squeez able tubes of blended meat.
Food with gravy is often ineffec tive for keeping weight on cats, as they often lick the gravy but leave
the meat. The gravy may make food more appealing to disinterest ed cats, however, and entice them into eating again.
Don’t smorgasbord Charlie. Offer one tempting food at a time. Too many choices at once may lower his appetite.
Some cats like to be encouraged with petting or hand feeding. You can gently offer wet food on a spoon or your finger.
Toppers can help too. These can include nutritional yeast, fish flakes, crumbled treats, freeze-dried meat treats or tuna or salmon juice.
If Charlie is chunky, please monitor him closely and act quickly if he stops eating completely. An over weight cat who suddenly stops eating is at high risk for hepatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease—and could die within days.
If Charlie is dehydrated (the skin on his shoulders stays up when lightly “tented” or his gums are sticky), he may need fluids. Fluids can sometimes help cats feel less nauseous and hungrier.
Pain can also cause decreased ap petite, especially pain in the mouth. It may be subtle, but his face may reveal his discomfort. The Feline Gri mace Scale is a chart that can help you monitor his face for pain.
If you ever get a new kitten, gradually rotate new proteins in and out of his diet so he gets exposed to a variety of foods. A cat who likes variety will have the resiliency to better withstand a phase of dimin ished appetite. You’ll set him up for a lifetime of food flexibility and be able to respond quickly if you ever have trouble with appetite or supply chain issues. Your picky kitty can grow into a contented cat! ■
Hancock
If he continues to have a low appetite, start by falling back on old favorites to get him eating again.
This free helpline is offered by Happy Cats Haven and Colorado Cats Boarding. Submit questions at www.HappyCatsHaven.org
GENTLY WARMING COLD FOOD FROM THE FRIDGE IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA, AS A CAT IN THE WILD WOULD NOT USUALLY EAT CHILLED FOOD.
seeing more research about how sugar spikes cause your body to attack itself with more vigor. Autoimmune dis orders are exacerbated by eating a lot of foods and beverages that are high in sugar.
The same goes for both refined and complex carbohydrates. This is contrary information to what many nutritionists believe, but I recom mend keeping refined carbs out of your diet and complex carbs to a minimum.
Sugar also increases T Help er-17 (Th17) cells, which leads to suppressed immunity and more self-driven autoimmune attacks. Sugar ultimately leads to increased rates of obesity and health prob lems including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, hyperten sion, asthma, low back pain and arthritis.
If your own body is killing itself, you don’t stand a chance. You can modify the self-driven attack with the choice to avoid foods and bev erages that contain sugar or other sweeteners which often produce the same glycemic high in the body.
A recent study showed that high glucose intake from an excess of sweets spawns a lot of free radical damage and Th17 overactivity.
Now you can develop your own personal strategy to lower Th17 and improve your autoimmune con dition with these three steps. Start now—your pain levels are at stake!
If you have MS, your nerves are at stake, and if you have psoriasis, here’s how you can help yourself:
1. Change your diet - Completely eliminate all sugary foods—candy,
sweets and refined carbohy drates like bagels and white rice.
I would also greatly minimize complex carbohydrates—brown rice, beans, starchy vegetables like peas, and whole-grain bread.
2. Improve your lifestyle - Don’t eat too late at night and exercise at your level. Try to avoid stress and get proper sleep. Melatonin deficiency is associated with in creased autoimmunity, so getting adequate rest should make life a lot easier. If you need help with sleep apnea, see a specialist.
3. Supplement your diet - Eating right will help with gut integrity, but sometimes it’s not enough. Consider nutrients that are known to reduce Th17 overactiv ity like chelated zinc, vitamin D, and folate (only the methylated form, not folic acid).
If you aren’t responding to your dietary changes within a few months, or you experience any thing unpleasant, contact your doctor.
For more articles and advice, sign up for Suzy’s newsletter at www.SuzyCohen.com
Rocky Mountain PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly)
provides innovative, coordinated healthcare for seniors, assisting
Here’s how PACE can make healthcare stress-free
Let us help you or your loved one Live Independently by offering stress-free healthcare through:
Transportation from your home to your medical appointments and our adult day health center.
Transportation from home to medical appointments and our adult day center.
Coordinated care plans that makes it easy to access highly qualified doctors, nurses, and specialists.
Coordinated care plans that make it easy to access qualified doctors, nurses, and specialists.
Our staff and other seniors just like you create a caring community that will help you thrive.
Our staff and other seniors create a caring community that will help you or your loved one thrive.
A wide variety of exciting activities and events to keep you active and engaged.
A wide variety of exciting activities and events to stay active and engaged.
(719) 314-2327
IF YOUR OWN BODY IS KILLING ITSELF, YOU DON’T STAND A CHANCE.
With food costs up as much as 11%, this year’s Thanksgiving staples will cost significantly more, making it challenging for seniors on a fixed income to prepare a traditional holiday meal with all the trimmings.
In its 26th year, Silver Key’s Bountiful Bags Thanksgiving food drive provides a complete Thanks giving meal-in-a-bag for seniors in need. This year, the organization’s goal is to provide 1,300 bags for seniors and their loved ones in the community.
“If we can inject hope into people’s lives, we may be able to
remind them of better times,” said Silver Key Chief Strategy Officer Derek Wilson.
The cheerful bright orange totes contain all the delicious ingredients needed for a Thanksgiving feast.
Each bag includes instant mashed potatoes and gravy mix, stuffing, cranberry sauce, yams and a $5 King Soopers gift card so the recipi ent can select their own protein.
Wilson said that in past years, it
was a challenge to hand an old er person a heavy, whole frozen turkey. Even if they managed to get it home, it was difficult to handle during the cooking process and may be too much food to eat. The gift card allows seniors to pick the protein of their choice, as not everyone wants to eat turkey.
Sometimes seniors come to Silver Key for basic needs due to life circumstances but receive much more in the form of transporta tion, meals, home visits, health and wellness services and affordable housing.
Those who have received help from Silver Key are often the first to pass on the bounty and abun
“Nature is bountiful giving to man, All that we require, however She can.” – Roy E. Peterson
dance.
This month, Silver Key may need help sorting and counting the donated food, filling the Bountiful Bags or handing them out, but their needs are ongoing.
“We can always use volunteers to assist us,” Wilson said. “There are many more tasks where we can utilize volunteers’ energy and efforts.”
Clients aged 60 or older who actively utilize Silver Key’s food pantry will automatically receive a Bountiful Bag.
Although items for bags are
collected in October, Silver Key can use donations of food year-round. When you are grocery shopping, consider adding a few extra items to your cart and taking them to the food pantry at 1605 S. Murray Blvd.
1 in 10 seniors in Colorado do not know when or where they will get their next meal. Following are some examples of what monetary dona tions to Silver Key can purchase:
• $25 buys one Bountiful Bag Thanksgiving meal.
• $50 provides five nutritious, de livered dinners through Meals on Wheels.
• $250 supports five clients for one month at the Food Pantry.
Silver Key has served on the front lines of the senior food inse curity crisis for the past 52 years.
If you are a senior who could use a Bountiful Bag or other help, please call or stop by their office at 1625 S. Murray Blvd.
Apply in person with identifi cation and proof of address and income.
For more information about volunteering or donating, call 719884-2300 or visit www.silverkey. org/bountifulbags. ■
Schedule your CO Gives Day Donation Today!:
www.coloradogives.org/organization/SilverKey 719-884-2300
Colorado Gives Day!
Silver Key makes sure local seniors are able to enjoy all the comforts of home-- warmth, companionship, hot meals, peace of mind, and more-- all year round! Give the gift of hope this holiday season, and help bring the holidays home for seniors!
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My grandkids were over this morning for breakfast. We were all sitting at the table—they with their iPhones and tablets and me with my newspaper—when they started jok ing that I was old-fashioned because I was reading the newspaper.
“Grandpa,” they said. “Everybody today uses a tablet like ours instead of the newspaper.”
I looked up from my paper.
“Let me see that!” I said.
I guarantee that fly never knew what hit him.
A golfer whose car broke down flagged down a passing bus and climbed aboard. He sat down on
the bus next to a little old lady, his pockets bulging with golf balls.
The lady looked quizzically at him and his bulging pockets. Finally, he explained, “It’s golf balls.”
She quickly replied, “Does it hurt as bad as tennis elbow?”
Submitted by Maynard Hesselbarth
A man was sitting alone in his office one night when a genie popped up out of his ashtray and said, “And what will your third wish be?”
The man looked at the genie and said, “Huh? How can I be getting a third wish when I haven’t had a first or second wish yet?”
“You have had two wishes already,” the genie said, “but your second wish was for me to put ev erything back the way it was before
you made your first wish. Thus, you remember nothing because everything is the way it was before you made any wishes. You have one wish left.”
“Okay,” said the man, “I don’t be lieve this, but what the heck. I wish I was irresistible to women.”
“Funny,” said the genie as it granted his wish and disappeared forever. “That was your first wish, too.”
A woman rushed into a veterinar ian’s office with a limp duck in her hands. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stetho scope and listened to the bird’s chest.
After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and said, “I’m sorry. Cuddles has passed away.”
The distressed woman wailed, “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead,” the vet replied.
“How can you be so sure?” she
protested. “You haven’t done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or some thing.”
The vet rolled his eyes, turned around and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a black Labrador. With Cuddles’ owner looking on in amazement, the dog stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on the examination table and sniffed the duck from top to bottom. He looked up at the vet with sad eyes and shook his head.
The vet patted the dog on the head and took it out of the room. A few minutes later, he returned with a cat. The cat jumped on the table and delicately sniffed the bird from head to foot. The cat sat back on its haunches, shook its head, meowed softly and strolled out of the room.
The vet looked at the woman and said, “I’m sorry, but this duck is certifiably dead.”
He turned to his computer, hit a few keys and produced a bill, which he handed the woman. The duck’s
owner took the bill and cried, “$150? $150 just to tell me my duck is dead?!”
The vet shrugged, “If you had just taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20, but with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it’s now $150.”
Submitted by Jamie Shaffer
A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived.
“She lives at the airport,” he said, “and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”
Submitted by Sylvia Orvis
A man with a sore throat went to see the doctor.
The doctor examined him and said, “Do you smoke?”
He said, “No, I’ve never smoked in my life.”
The doctor said, “That’s a pity, giving up smoking would have really helped.”
Submitted by Angela Spinella
Betty Jo passed away suddenly, and her husband, Bubba, called 911. The operator told Bubba that she would send someone out right away.
“Where do you live?” asked the operator.
“Down here at the end o’ Euca lyptus Drive,” said Bubba.
“Can you spell that for me?” asked the operator.
There was a long pause. Finally Bubba said, “How ‘bout if I drag her on over to Oak Street and you pick her up there?”
Submitted by Robert Ashton
Singers of the ’60s are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommo date us aging Baby Boomers. New releases include:
Herman’s Hermits: “Mrs. Brown, You’ve got a Lovely Walker”
Ringo Starr: “I Get By with a Little Help From Depends”
Bee Gees: “How Can You Mend a Broken Hip?”
Roberta Flack: “The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face”
Johnny Nash: “I Can’t See Clearly Now”
Paul Simon: “Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver”
The Commodores: “Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom”
Procol Harum: “A Whiter Shade of Hair”
Leo Sayer: “You Make Me Feel Like Napping”
The Temptations: “Papa’s Got A Kidney Stone”
Abba: “Denture Queen”
Helen Reddy: “I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore”
Lesley Gore: “It’s My Hormones & I’ll Cry If I Want To”
Willie Nelson: “On the Commode Again” ■
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there is no waste.
Everything decomposes to continue the nutrient cycle, nour ishing life. Composting is just a way of speeding up the process.
Adding compost to your soil improves garden production while reducing what goes into a landfill. You create your own fertilizer, bind heavy metals for plants to absorb and increase the water holding capacity of the soil.
You probably already have all the materials necessary to begin composting. The truth is bacterias, protozoas, fungi and other ben eficial microbes do all the heavy lifting. Our main goal is to keep them happy.
Just like any other living thing, microbes need food, water and air to survive. When microbes thrive, they respire carbon dioxide that comes off in the form of heat. A cold compost pile means the mi crobes aren’t happy so we need to revisit their three primary needs.
The most fundamental skill of composting is balancing green and brown materials in the com post pile. A big pile of green grass clippings will end up a stinky, wet
mess over time and a mound of fallen leaves will take years to break down. When we combine two or three parts browns to one part greens, we start the fast and odorfree process of composting.
Green items (food waste, plant trimmings, animal manures) are all high in nitrogen and contain protein for microbes. Brown items (old leaves, straw, cardboard, sawdust) are high in carbon and supply car bohydrates. Adding layers of each to the compost pile helps keep it balanced.
Scientifically, this is referred to as the carbon nitrogen ratio. Ideal ly, we want a ratio of 30- or 40-to-1 for great compost. But don’t stress if your ratios aren’t exact. The microbes will still decompose the materials; it will just take longer.
I like to add animal manure to compost as it houses decomposing actinobacteria that can’t be found anywhere else. Source aged ma nure from healthy animals that ha ven’t been pastured in weed fields.
IT TAKES FOUR TO SIX MONTHS FOR A COMPOST PILE TO FULLY MATURE.
Horse and chicken manure are fantastic options. Llama and rabbit don’t harbor diseases in the ma nure and break down quickly. I add one to two shovelfuls on top of the food waste I add to the compost pile to rehydrate the actinobacteria and provide them with food.
Microbes need moisture to stay happy and productive.
Aim to have 50 percent moisture in your compost pile. You can test for adequate moisture by making a ball of compost materials in your hand. If it feels dry to the touch or if the ball falls apart when you open your hand, add water to the pile.
Putting carpets on your com post pile can help it retain moisture in our dry summers. In winter, compost piles stay moist longer, so using a watering can will suffice.
If you squeeze the ball and water comes out, it’s over saturated and
the microbes can drown. Add some dry leaves to absorb the extra water.
Microbes need oxygen to breathe, so aerate the compost pile every three to five days by stabbing it with a pitchfork or shovel.
The best composting occurs in the center of the pile, so completely turn it every other aeration. I tend to flatten out the pile, lift the cen ter up and to the back and scoop the sides back towards the middle. Then I’ll reshape it into a nice pile.
Mature compost should be deep brown and granular with a wonder ful earthy smell. You shouldn’t be able to identify the parent materials that went into the pile.
It takes four to six months for a compost pile to fully mature. You don’t want to put food scraps in your garden, so after a few months,
so
it’s best to stop adding to an estab lished pile and start a new one.
Having two compost bins is a great idea, as one can be finishing out while the other is being actively added to. At my home, I screwed together three pallets in a U-shape with a cross piece of lumber on top to stabilize it. Then I added another L-shape to one side to create a twobin system. I keep bags of leaves on one side and five-gallon buckets of manure on the other.
The upside of purchasing compost tumblers is that they make composting much easier for folks with physical limitations. The downside is that being suspended in the air means there’s no contact
turn
the
every other
with native soil and microbes. If you go this route, adding a shovelful of healthy garden soil to the batch of compost will inoculate the pile nicely. ■
Send your gardening questions to Bryan in care of Life After 50, or email him directly at BCReed@ColoradoMesa.edu
By Colleen Mock
Elder abuse is a public health problem that has devastating consequences for older adults and families.
National statistics indicate that 1 in 10 adults over age 60 experi ence some form of mistreatment, including physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse, in addition to self-neglect and caretaker neglect. Sadly, only 1 in 24 cases of elder mistreatment are reported to the authorities.
At the state level, the Colorado Department of Health states that nearly 25,000 reports of suspected mistreatment or self-neglect are made annually. In the past year, approximately 3,000 cases of elder mistreatment were reported to El Paso County Adult Protective Services, with half of those reports being substantiated.
To address the problem of elder mistreatment, the Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center (PPEJC) has led the charge to increase efforts in de tecting, preventing and intervening in situations of elder mistreatment, exploitation and neglect.
Founded through long-standing community collaboration with the Pikes Peak Elder Abuse Coalition, PPEJC supports older abuse survi vors with safe shelter and uses the
collective expertise of a multidisci plinary team to serve older adults vulnerable to mistreatment, neglect and exploitation.
Many people think that caretaker neglect is the most common type of abuse for older adults, but the most commonly reported cases are self-neglect, which is best char acterized as an individual grossly neglecting their own needs.
Self-neglect can be influenced by factors such as cognitive inability to care for oneself, mobility limitations, sensory impairments or limitations due to psychological factors such as depression. Signs of self-neglect may include the presence of bed sores, poor hygiene, malnutrition, dehydra tion, untreated medical illnesses, or unwashed or inadequate clothing for the weather.
Providing treatment for those experiencing self-neglect proves particularly challenging since the person undergoing the neglect is also facilitating the neglect. Al though each case of abuse presents unique challenges, one particularly complicating factor in other forms of abuse or caretaker neglect is the older adults’ desire to maintain con tact with the individual who may be abusing them.
This is particularly common in cases where a family member may
be engaging in financial abuse.
An older adult’s decision to remain engaged with a potentially abusive family member should be respected, especially if removing the family member would disrupt a limit ed support system. Navigating these problematic waters while balancing safety and autonomy with the least restrictive interventions is the basis of care provided by the PPEJC.
The PPEJC’s nonprofit status has allowed for the development of two main programs aimed at serving at-risk adults who have experienced one or more forms of abuse or neglect within the community.
The Elder Shelter Program is a collaborative effort among partner ing community providers to ensure safe temporary housing for those 60 or older, or those living with a disability. Clients of the program are matched with participating skilled nursing and assisted living communities who provide a safe ha ven from an abusive situation. The Elder Shelter Team then follows the client and assists in facilitating more permanent housing with the aid of the partnered facility and other community supports.
The Elder Abuse Forensic Multidisciplinary Team (E-MDT) consists of a group of profession als and agencies such as fiduciary
services, forensic nurses, legal representatives, law enforcement, case workers, medical consultants and behavioral health experts who meet monthly to discuss particular ly complex cases of mistreatment, neglect and exploitation within the community. Members of this inter disciplinary team come together to provide guidance and consultation to referring agencies.
For more information regard ing the PPEJC, visit www.pike speakelderjusticecenter.org.
To report an incident of suspect ed abuse or neglect, contact the local law enforcement agency and adult protective services agency where the affected individual re sides. For the Colorado Springs Po lice Department, call 719-444-7000 and ask for the Crimes Against At-Risk Adults Unit. Contact El Paso County Adult Protective Services at 719- 636-5755. For situations of imminent danger, always call 911 for immediate assistance. ■
Colleen Mock is a UCCS clinical psychology doctoral student and a psychology trainee at the Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center. She can be contacted at MockC@ppejc.org or 719-315-1649. Do not contact her to report suspected abuse and neglect.
No doubt over the last two years we had the stuffing knocked out of us. Coronavirus squashed any hopes of a normal year. The economy sank like a lead gravy boat. And we had a turkey in the...
“Wait. Are you really going to make us suffer through a Thanks giving pun article?”
“Of course not, dear. Just trying to keep my readers abreast of the situation.”
“Your wish-bone is my command.”
Seriously, though, that may have been the most unusual Thanksgiv ing since the one I spent with the Swansons and Franzia—as in three TV dinners and a box of estate Chablis.
When I was a kid in New Hamp shire, we always went to Grammy and Grampa’s house, neither of
whom was I actually related to. Grampa adopted my mother and uncle when they were kids and already had several children of his own. His second wife Dot had a daughter and several sisters, one of whom wore more makeup than the entire Kardashian family. She used to pinch my kid brother’s cheeks so much he looked wounded.
Most of these folks had children of their own. In all, there must have been 25 people at a time. And I nev er could figure out how we were all connected. I was just one more bean in the family casserole.
“Hey, Little Ernie, (I was always called Little Ernie, so no one would confuse me with my old man) you remember Steve, right?”
“Uh...”
“Hey, Little...”
“Can you not call me ‘Little?’”
“Sure. Hey, kids, you remember
The big news of the day was always how large a turkey Grammy had bought this year.
“Twenty-two pounds? Wow!”
“Butterball? No kidding.”
“Enough giblets to make a gallon of guts gravy? Yum!”
The men all retired to the living room. Grampa would light up a huge cigar, and many of the other men lit up cigarettes. I used to hang out to learn some new dirty jokes and cuss words.
Most of the female family mem bers would be in the kitchen making enough side dishes and pies to last until spring.
“Just one slice?”
“Not yet.”
“Half a slice?”
“Not yet.”
Usually after several beers, one of the uncles would suggest
a football game to be held on a grassy side yard next to the drive way where a bunch of cars were parked. Fortunately, it was before car alarms.
Seating was a logistical night mare. There was a big table in the dining room, another table in the kitchen and a closed-in unheated porch where all us kids had to sit. When someone finally said “Let’s eat,” you did not want to be out of position because all the kids fought for the middle of the table seats where the turkey, potatoes and stuffing were located.
Miscalculate and you were on one of the ends with all the younger kids who spilled a lot.
This year I’m hoping for the good old days again.
“Are you done writing your pun ny column, dear?”
“Yes...I yam.” ■
Now is the time to make your move to all-inclusive independent retirement living and get settled before the holidays! We take care of everything for one monthly price and no buy-in fee, so you have the time to enjoy life’s greatest blessings.
Monday, November 14 from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Taste how sweet retirement living can be! Join “Emm Co” for a live cooking demonstration of festive holiday desserts, enjoy a sampling of sweet treats, and tour our beautiful community.
by November 9
Will America ever have another “Greatest Generation”?
Or to put it another way, what would motivate a skinny 17-year-old high school junior to hide weights in his closed hands just so he could pass the physical to join the Navy and fight in World War II?
Local author Becky Van Vleet explores that question in her new book, “Unintended Hero.”
Van Vleet has published several award-winning children's books, but this time, she felt compelled to write a different kind of story.
To Van Vleet, patriotism is “our love for America—where we can put aside our differences when we’re called upon to support our country. It’s a spirit of sacrifice and doing whatever it takes.”
She knew just the hero to repre sent that spirit: her father, Walter Troyan.
As with many war vets, Troyan wasn’t one to talk much about his experiences. But about 30 years
ago, when the family was living in Muncie, Indiana, Van Vleet asked him to record remi niscences about his life, including his service as a sailor on the USS Denver.
Her immediate motivation was to help her own daughters gain an understanding and appreciation for their grandfather and for their country.
The years went by and the cassette recordings of her father’s memories were still on the back burner. Maybe it was 9/11 or the several wars the U.S. was involved with, but in recent years her fa ther’s story begged to be written.
“My biggest hope is that readers will gain a sense of the sacrifice, teamwork and patriotism that generation had to fight for, for their country,” she said.
Troyan served on active duty in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1946. After the war, he went into the Naval Reserve before returning
to active duty again during the Korean War.
One of his mem ories involved the Navy’s traditional ceremony called the Order of Neptune, where a new sailor moves from being a Pollywog to a Shellback after crossing the equator for the first time—a big step forward for young Troyan.
Van Vleet did intensive research to understand and flesh out her dad’s recollections. She traveled to San Diego to tour the USS Midway and gain a feel for how sailors live and function aboard a ship.
“I was able to walk on Preble Field where my dad had marching practice,” she recalled. “I saw the canal where my dad and his fellow sailors had rowing practices.”
She went to the Buffalo, New York Naval Park and toured the USS Little Rock, a cruiser that was active during the war like the USS Denver. She got to see much of life
on board the ship—the racks in the sleeping quarters, the eating areas, the guns, the sick bay and the engine room. It gave her invaluable material to add detailed realism in her book.
A unique privilege came on a trip to Danbury, Connecticut.
“I met with Lawrence Craig, a coxswain on my dad’s ship in World War II, and the last living USS Denver sailor. He was 101 years old. Sadly, he passed away a few weeks after I met him,” she said. “What an honor it was to talk with him and to thank him in person for his sacrifice and service to our country!”
Of course, there was more to Troyan’s life than just his stint on the USS Denver.
When the ship was torpedoed (a drama that Van Vleet describes in compelling detail, as a number of sailors lost their lives), the ship sailed to Hawaii and then on to San Francisco for repairs before re-en tering the war.
It was there that her dad met a young girl on a blind date whose own patriotism led her to leave her
Walter Troyan, cir. 1942 served as a sailor on the USS Denver in World War II.Left: The crew aboard the USS Denver with Walter Troyan (middle row sitting, far left). Right: The USS Denver (CL-58), the Cleveland-class light cruiser that Troyan served on as a gunner during World War II.
country.”
It was Tom Brokaw who popular ized the term “The Greatest Gener ation” with his best-selling book of that name in 1998.
home in Indiana to work at a war factory in California. They began writing back and forth.
Just 11 days after leaving the Navy in 1945, Walter married that girl—Van Vleet’s mother, Alberta.
Van Vleet believes at least some of the impressive patriotism that moti
vated her dad and so many others to serve their country came from the era in which they had come of age.
“Young men dropped out of school, they forged birth cer tificates, they did whatever was needed to serve,” said Van Vleet.
“I think that growing up during the Depression taught them so much of what it meant to sacrifice and to appreciate what they had in this
“It is, I believe, the greatest gen eration any society has ever pro duced,” Brokaw said of those who lived through the Great Depression and the many who fought in World War II.
He described those Americans as men and women who fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do.
With her very personal connec
tion to that generation, Van Vleet defines her dad and those who served with him as “patriotic, not self-serving, sacrificial, having the spirit of doing whatever it takes, showing a superb work ethic.”
Will there be another Greatest Generation? We can only hope so. T
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YOUNG MEN DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL, THEY FORGED BIRTH CERTIFICATES, AND DID WHATEVER WAS NEEDED TO SERVE.
Some days, life seems to take a tumble, a misstep, or it feels as if something is just plain off. Days when our energy is low, but our worry is high. Frustration, sadness and fatigue sink in, and we wonder why.
Most of us want to go back to bed, cover our heads and pray that tomorrow our joy will return. However, I believe we need those troubled days to recoup, rethink and redo. Perhaps they are given to us to settle ourselves, be alone and even shed a few cathartic tears.
It has been said that writers pen their best works during episodes of depression. I’m not sure how that works when you are buried under the covers, but the idea is plausible. Depression and art often go hand in hand. From Van Gogh to Hem ingway, those tumbled-down days gifted the rest of us with beautiful words and breathtaking paintings. Their talent rose to the surface in the quiet moments of loneliness and disillusionment.
Recently, I was experiencing an off morning. Too much to do, wor ry and a lack of sleep threw me for a loop. I received an email from a gentleman after he read one of my articles earlier that same day. He wrote, “Your article this morning is
just what I needed to face a gru eling day! Thank you.” How funny that his note helped me face my own grueling morning with a new resolve.
And that, my friends, is how life works. Life flows better when we realize we all need each other to survive our tumbled-down days.
While on vacation, my sweet friend fell and broke her foot. This was not the first time she had broken a bone due to a tumble, so I knew she was frustrated. When she sent a message to all her friends telling them of her accident, her phone lit up with good wishes. By the time I talked to her, that little cheery, laughing-at-herself attitude was again in full bloom. We defi nitely need one another to heal from all falls.
Years ago, before emails and cell phones, I wrote my mother a letter after a crazy day with my new baby and a mischievous toddler who persisted to provide trouble. I comi cally explained the entire day but ended it with the word, “HELP!”
Mom called me after receiving the letter a few days later.
“Honey, I am sorry you had such a terrible day, but I laughed until I cried as I read your story.”
“Gee, thanks Mom, I am glad I made your day happier from my
Pastor Bob Hollopeter Sunday Service: 10:30am & 6:30pm Wednesday Afternoon Prayer Meeting: 3:00pm 2728 Beacon Street Colorado Springs (719) 636-1515
misery!” I kidded.
Then she thoughtfully respond ed, “Lynn, you really can write, you know.”
I replied, “Mom, now you are the comic!”
When I was going through Moth er’s papers after her death in 2010, I found that old letter and, in my grief, a much-needed smile crossed my face. She had helped me indeed.
When nothing is going our way, and when life seems complicated and trouble lurks, it is usually a sig nal for growth. In our solitude, we find we may need to reevaluate our priorities, pray a little more or even pen a novel.
It is a monumental struggle to find strength and meaning during our dark times, but it is worth a mighty try. Perhaps, in the end, you could discover that your darkness created light for someone else. And that, in turn, motivates us all.
One of the most significant faults human beings have is our inability to call for help. Our pride
gets in our way, and fear of what others think of us rises above what is best for us.
Here’s the deal: No one is im mune from down times and ardu ous journeys. Every single person on Earth will need aid at one time or another. The trick is how we manage them. Do we go to bed and hide, or do we face struggles headon and grow from our down times? Ask God for his aid, call a friend or seek wise counsel. Out of the dark ness, van Gogh painted “The Starry Night.” And, out of lonely silence, Hemingway wrote sentences that echoed around the globe.
Never fall from tumbled-down days. Instead, see what beauty you can create from standing tall through them. When you do, you just might help another not to tumble. ■
Nondenominational
Sundays at 10 a.m.
Interim Pastor Chad Wight Worship Service
Hymns • Contemporary Music • Bible Teaching Bible Study, Sundays 8:30-9:30am
Academy Blvd.
Adjacent to Harmony Bowl
HERE’S THE DEAL: NO ONE IS IMMUNE FROM DOWN TIMES AND ARDUOUS JOURNEYS. THE TRICK IS HOW WE MANAGE THEM.
By the early 1970s, Motown’s teenage brother group, the Jackson 5, was regularly burning up the Billboard singles and album charts.
Lead singer Michael later re called, “It was [Motown founder] Berry Gordy’s idea that I should do a solo recording, and so I became one of the first people in a Motown group to really step out.”
And did he ever step out! “Got to Be There” established Jackson’s groundbreaking solo path. But his next offering of a kid-oriented “oldie” brought grumbles from those in the industry who felt the bouncy ditty too “lightweight” for any Motown artist, even 13-yearold Michael. Young Jackson’s fans heartily embraced the single release though, and bought enough copies to rocket it to No. 2 on the charts.
When Michael’s “Rockin’ Rob in” was hot, the Jackson 5 issued another blast-from-the-past winner called “Little Bitty Pretty One.” As it turns out, both “Rockin’ Robin” and “Little Bitty Pretty One” had first been done in the late 1950s by the same little-remembered artist, Bobby Day.
Day was a fixture on the Los Angeles R&B scene for years, having first achieved success as the leader of the Hollywood Flames (“Buzz-Buzz-Buzz”). Day recorded for Class Records, a small-time label owned by brothers Leon and Otis René. Near the end of 1957, Bobby cut a minor hit called “Little Bitty Pretty One.” (Fellow L. A. singer Thurston Harris recorded a Top 10 cover version.)
Day’s next release in early 1958 would sell a million copies and become his signature song—and his only real success. Leon had approached the musician with the
idea of Day recording the tune for the teenage market.
The genesis of “Rockin’ Robin” was a rock ‘n’ roll story of legend. Leon René wrote the song after his wife complained about a bird keeping her awake at night.
“She asked me to chase him away so that she could get some sleep,” Leon explained. “I told her I couldn’t unless I threw a rock at him. But the next night the bird flew into a tree outside my window and woke me up…and about 2 a.m. every morning thereafter.” (The culprit was actually a mockingbird, and not a robin.)
René was a university-educated, middle-aged musician whose song writing credits included the classic “When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano.” When he decided to turn his nocturnal annoyance into a pop novelty, he started with the term “mockingbird,” which mor phed into “rockin’ mockin’ bird” and, finally, “rockin’ robin.”
The song proved a godsend to Bobby Day’s career (whose real last name was coincidentally Byrd).
René, though, would later admit, “I thought so little of the song that I decided not to put my name on it. Instead, I gave it to my wife, Irma, and she put my mother-in-law’s name down as the writer—Jimmie Thomas.”
René never renewed the copy right and no doubt lost a fortune in royalties when Michael Jackson sold a million copies of “Rockin’ Robin” in 1972. ■
By Kimberly Blaker
Whether you’re a Black Friday enthusiast or hater, there are ample ways to cash in on super savings throughout the holiday sea son. So follow these tips for deep discounts on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and beyond.
Subscribe to store email lists. Decide on which stores you want to shop at least a couple of weeks in advance. Then visit each store’s website and subscribe to their email list. Early signup will en sure you receive all promotional emails for the season’s big Black Friday and Cyber Monday events as well as ongoing savings right on through Christmas Eve.
Buy discounted gift cards. Visit Raise.com and order discounted gift cards for the stores you know you’ll purchase from. Make sure the gift cards are for stores you’ll defi nitely shop at, so you don’t blow your savings. Gift cards also make great gifts.
Begin collecting deals that show up in your newspaper, mailbox and email. Also, visit your favorite stores online a few days in advance to see what kind of deals they’ll offer. Print any coupons you find.
Organize for the big day. Once you’ve collected all the deals, sort through and match them up to your holiday shopping list. Compare deals and determine when the sales or doorbusters begin and if there’ll be limited quantities. Then strat egize. If you can’t stand in line for hours for a limited quantity door buster, skip it and focus on other deals that are easier to fetch.
Prepare a second-best list. You can’t be everywhere at once and you’re sure to miss a deal or two.
So prepare for alternative gifts and where to shop for them.
Watch for early bird freebies. Many stores offer free gifts to the first 25 or 100 people that come through the door. It’s true that there are some pretty nice prizes to be had, but many will require you to arrive well before the crack of dawn and spend hours waiting in line.
Before you succumb to these lures, consider whether it’s worth the risk of losing out on savings elsewhere.
Black Friday isn’t always the best day for bargains. So do your research. Stores tout their Black Friday deals to get consumers into a buying frenzy early in the season. Some even start to reduce prices on Wednesday. Keep in mind, all those Black Friday deals can also often be found online on Cyber Monday. In fact, many hot deals and some better deals stretch well into December.
Shop late in the day. If you’re like many, you wouldn’t even consider shopping on Black Friday simply because of the chaos. But the vast majority of shoppers start at the crack of dawn or earlier. By 5 p.m., early birds are exhausted and malls and stores are dead quiet. So eve ning is a great time to get in some peaceful, early shopping with plenty of great deals still going on. Shop online. This is another op tion if you don’t want to participate in the madhouse. Many stores offer
same deals online as they do in their stores. In fact, many online stores don’t even have storefronts.
in mind, supplies are often limited, even online. So by the time you reach checkout, an item in your basket might be sold out. If you’re shopping for multiple items from a store, do multiple checkouts, so the items in your basket don’t disap pear while you shop.
Arrange your finances in ad vance. If you intend to pay by cred it card, plan well in advance so the credit is available to you. Make your credit card payments at least two weeks in advance to allow time for processing. Use your credit cards that offer cash back or reward points to increase your savings. If paying with a debit card, check your balance before you head out to avoid an unwelcome surprise. Avoid carrying cash in chaotic crowds
because of the increased risk of pickpockets and purse-snatchers.
Avoid carts. On Black Friday, carry shopping bags or totes instead unless you plan to buy heavy items. Carts will slow you down through crowds that are unwilling to budge for you.
Hold off on toy purchases. Black Friday doesn’t offer the best deals on toys. The first week of Decem ber usually provides much more significant savings on these items.
Use social media for extra savings. Many retailers offer exclusive coupons and discounts to people who ‘like’ them on Facebook or other social media.
Check return policies. Most ma jor retailers have liberal return poli cies. But not all. Do your homework before you make purchases. Ask for gift receipts to make exchanges and returns easy for your gift recipients.
Avoid impulse buying. Many shoppers’ savings go right down the drain because they grab unnec
essary “great buys” at the spur of the moment.
Get extra savings with instant store credit. Most stores offer 10 to 25 percent savings by opening a store credit card at checkout. If you pay your charges off immediately and don’t use it for unnecessary purchases, it’s well worth the sav ings. Otherwise, the long-term cost of interest will exceed the savings you gained.
Make sure a sale is really a sale. Some stores mark up merchandise before they reduce it to make it look like a great bargain. Furniture stores in particular are known for this tactic, so do your homework. Don’t waste time trying to price match. On Black Friday and Cyber Monday, stores typically don’t hon or price matching.
Be prepared for long lines. Be fore you head out, add your email account, music, audiobooks or movies to your phone, so you have entertainment for the long wait in
line. Better yet, spend your time in line visiting online stores and watch for rotating deals. Download Black Friday deals apps such as Dealnews, Slickdeals, Shopkick, Flipp or The Coupons App.
Request duplicate receipts for rebate purchases, and store them in a safe place in your wallet or purse. If you shop online, down load the Ebates app for automatic rebates when you buy on partici pating websites.
Forgo extended warranties. With a few exceptions, extended warranties are a waste of money. Most electronics already come with a limited manufacturer’s warranty. Defects usually show up within the scope of the manufacturer’s warranty. Accidental damage that might be covered under a store’s extended warranty only rarely oc curs. Cell phones or small personal electronics people carry with them that are likely to get dropped, lost or run through the washing ma chine are the exception. ■
Join this fall series just for seniors with an emphasis on balance at Who Gives a Scrap on Tuesdays, Thursdays and the first Sunday.
12-4 p.m. | 810 Arcturus Drive | $30 | www.whogivesascrapcolorado.com | 512-626-0432
Join this celebration of remem brance at the Fine Arts Center by contributing to the “ofrenda” (altar to honor the deceased). Enjoy Ballet Folklórico, a mariachi band and oth er performances, and make sugar skulls, paper flowers and buttons. Reservations are recommended.
4-8 p.m. | 30 W. Dale St. | Free | https://fac.coloradocollege.edu | 719-634-5581
Tune in to this signature mix of Scot tish highland pipes, flute, whistle, fiddle and guitar at Stargazers. You’ll hear a little mystical Celtic music mixed with the robust ballads of the Scottish Lowlands in stirring modern arrangements of traditional music. 7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $23$27 | www.stargazerstheatre.com | 719-476-2200
The Veterans Administration (VA) recently expanded its caregiver support program for veterans of all eras. Learn about Veteran Directed Care, where a family member or caregiver is paid from funds provid ed by the VA. Please register online. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Free | www.age wisecolorado.org
Needlework enthusiasts of all skill levels, come to Rocky Mountain Sewing & Vacuum to learn how to
choose the right stabilizer, hooping placement and more. Lunch, a trunk show, giveaways and goody bags are included. Bring a pen and notepad.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 5611 N. Academy Blvd. | $29 | www.rockymountain sewing.com| 719-597-8888
Browse your way through the Black Forest Community Center, where Guild members sell fine art, decorative crafts and culinary delights for fall, Christmas and anytime!
4-7 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday | 12530 Black Forest Rd. | Free | www.bfacg. org | www.facebook.com/BFACG
This event kicks off with a Zum ba party and just gets more fun! Laughter and libations for the ladies follow at the Upper 90 Tavern, with a catered brunch and comedy show! 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | 4845 List Drive | $30 | www.soccerhauscs. com | 719-761-7586
Songs from the Border Satya Jnani Chávez and friends pres ent a live concert of original music about immigration, identity and belonging at the Fine Arts Center. 2 p.m. 5th & 6th, 7:30 p.m. 3rd-5th | 30 W. Dale St. | $44 | https://fac. coloradocollege.edu | 719-634-5581
Experience all the thrills and chills as the legendary ski movie pioneers showcase their 73rd feature film at the Pikes Peak Center. This annual celebration crosses generations and connects us to that comforting winter constant: snow!
7:30 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $24 | www.pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2100
Listen in as Braithwaite, Uveges and Sokol make laughter and CSN-like harmony at Stargazers. You might hear “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes,” “Our House,” “Southern Cross” or anoth er ‘70s favorite!
7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $17 | www.stargazerstheatre.com | 719-476-2200
The fun of improv? Nobody knows what will happen! TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” comes to the Pikes Peak Center with Drew Carey and friends performing hilarious unscripted comedy and songs based on audience suggestions.
7-8:30 | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $35$60 | www.pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2100
Run or walk for a cause! Choose a 3K or 5K course. All new runners receive a bear suit. Come early for pre-run festivities, including Bear Yoga and people or pet costume contests! Please register online.
10 a.m. | 245 Bear Creek Road | $15$60 | www.elpasoco.com/bearrun | 719-520-6388
Cheer on the brave veterans in our midst at one of the biggest and best parades in the nation, featuring patriotic floats, bands and 40,000 spectators. This year’s theme is “Serving the Forc es for Mission Success.”
10 a.m. | Tejon St. between Boul der and Vermijo | Free | https:// cosvetsparade.org | 719-413-1905
KOA Veterans Weekend Camp at the KOA and express your gratitude to those who have served our country. Activities include writing letters of appreciation and a Veterans Day parade. Veterans and active military receive 25% off. 12 p.m. check-in, tents and RVs, 3 p.m. cabins | 8100 Bandley Drive, Fountain | Variable pricing | www. koa.com | 800-562-8609
Two concerts in one night! The Mar tini Shot is a six-piece, horn-pow ered, pop-rock band of Coloradans. Soapdish melds power pop and rock, from the ‘80s to today. Both bands promise high-energy, feelgood performances.
7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $ 20 | www.stargazerstheatre.com | 719-476-2200
The phenomenal sounds of the best instrument ever—the human voice— will fill the Pikes Peak Center in all its a cappella glory!
8-10 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $25-$69 | www.pikespeakcenter. com | 719-477-2100
Fall’s bounty from the apple orchard is put to delicious use at the Sweet Addict Bakery, where you’ll learn to cook braised chicken with apples and a fennel salad, with a caramel apple tartlet for dessert.
12-2 p.m. | 2609 W. Colorado Ave. | $69 | www.sweetaddictbakery.com | 719-318-3894
Three cheers for vinyl! There are tens of thousands of albums to dig through at the Embassy Suites by Hilton hotel, from the Beatles and Stones to that impossible-to-find hardcore EP at the Springs’ largest record show.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. | 7290 Commerce Cen ter Drive | $3 ($10 early admission)
| Colorado Springs Record Show on Facebook
Women’s Expo with a Cause Ladies, live it up at the Norris Penrose Event Center! Explore 170+ booths of health, fashion, fitness, cooking, makeovers and home dé cor plus a mother-daughter lookalike contest, all in support of the Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center’s wellness programs.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.4 p.m. Sunday | 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road | $7 | https://www.wom enslivingexpo.com
Socialize and shop at the Chipita Park Association’s sale at Marcroft Hall, where you’ll find pottery, jewel ry, bird feeders, books, soap, beauty products, baskets, rustic furniture and holiday décor items. Fuel up with breakfast, lunch and home made baked goods.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday | 9105 Chipita Park Road, Cascade | Free | 719-465-2892 or deeannbr@gmailcom
Let go and laugh with comedienne
Handler, who brings her candor to the Pikes Peak Center. She’ll prove why she’s a celebrated voice in pop culture.
7 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $50$170 | www.pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2100
Explore employment options in the relaxed atmosphere of your own home. Local and national hiring managers are on the hunt for top talent. Sign up, show up, chat up key decision-makers and get hired! Please register online. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Free | www. hirex.us
Springs Senior Center as he per forms oldies but goodies from the big band era and the ’60s and ’70s. 1:30-3 p.m. | 1514 N. Hancock Ave. | Free | www.csseniorcenter.com | 719-955-3400
Love to learn? Come to the ENT Center to hear Marie Hoerner, Ph.D., address “Effects of Ancient Climate Changes on Mammals and Dinosaurs.” You’ll discover fascinat ing details about the diet, climate and habitat of extinct animals. 10 a.m. | 5225 N. Nevada Ave. | Free | www.uccs.edu/curiosity | 719-7555082
Listen with supportive pride as Doyle Combs and the American Patriots Jazz Orchestra salutes America’s veterans at Springs First Church of the Nazarene. They’ll play music from the big band era, hymns, gospel jazz and patriotic marches.
2 p.m. | 4120 E. Fountain Blvd. | Free | www.springsfirst.org | 719-596-5119
Led Zeppelin IV Rockers, get ready for The Black Jacket Symphony’s recreation of Led Zeppelin’s iconic album live in its entirety—note for note, sound for sound—plus a full set of Zeppelin’s greatest hits.
8 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $25$30 | www.pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2100
Families, caregivers and the cared for can explore materials and play together at the Colorado Springs Senior Center. You’ll discover how to use simple games and activities to connect with adults with cognitive impairments. This month’s theme is using the senses.
10:30-11:30 a.m. | 1514 N. Hancock | Free | www.playtoremember.com | 719-344-5877
November 10 Dance Songs by Lawrence! Dance to the live music of Lawrence Yoshito Shiroma at the Colorado
Groove to R&B, funk, Motown and top 40 hits at Stargazers! This local band’s raw energy will keep you dancing from start to finish while the Lady herself contributes unmistak able vocals and electrifying show manship.
7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $15 | www.stargazerstheatre.com | 719-476-2200
Enjoy dinner at the First United Methodist Church in Fountain. Din ner is complimentary, but donations are gratefully accepted. Call to RSVP. 4-6 p.m. | 1003 N. Santa Fe Ave., Fountain | Free | 719-851-0313
Shop local, support global! Browse unique international gifts from non-profit organizations that sell fair trade or world market wares. A bake sale benefits Quilts for New Begin nings for families in need.
4-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday | 4625 Ranch Drive | Free | www.bethelmennonite.org | 719389-1337
Hear this wild idea hatched between
a group of Colorado-based friends that turned into a tribute band. They perform the whole spectrum of Pink Floyd music.
7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $15 | www.stargazerstheatre.com | 719-476-2200
Browse among beautiful framed photographs, jewelry, handmade cards, pet supplies, knitted/cro cheted items, ornaments and other decorative items, including an entire angel-themed table! Cash payment is appreciated.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. | 4001 Gray Fox Heights | Free
Glen Eyrie Castle comes alive with traditional Irish fiddler music paired with innovative Brazilian choro mu sic by Andrew Finn Magill. There are two shows with an optional dinner served between. Alan Murray guests.
4 & 7 p.m. | 3820 N. 30th St. | $39-$49 | www.gleneyrie.org | 719-265-7050
Remember someone special during Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care’s 38th annual outdoor tree lighting on the south lawn of the Pioneers muse um. Each illuminated light honors the life of a loved one.
5 p.m. | 215 S. Tejon St. | Free | www. pikespeakhospice.org/treesoflife | 719-633-3400
Explore this fascinaing era in the Pikes Peak region at the Pioneers Museum. Hear about the Manitou Experimental Forest and more. A brief reception featuring the Ian Fer guson Trio and a theatrical reading follows. Please RSVP online.
2-3 p.m. | 215 S. Tejon St. | Free | www.cspm.org | 719-385-5637
All for the love of LEGO! Build a grandkid memory at the Colorado Springs Event Center with hands-on attractions and activities engineered to inspire, educate and entertain. View incredible sculptures, shop exclusive merch and find inspiration around every corner.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday | 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. | $20-$40 | www.brickfestlive. com | 719-637-3960
You’ll laugh ‘cause it’s true! Sedaris brings his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques to the Pikes Peak Center. One of America’s pre-emi nent humor writers, he’s a master satirist.
7 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $29$70 | www.pikespeakcenter.com |
719-477-2100
Songs by Lawrence Listen to live acoustic folk, gospel and ballads by Lawrence Yoshito
Shiroma. Same day, two locations: Mission Coffee Roasters in the morning and Third Space Coffee in the afternoon.
9-11 a.m. | 11641 Ridgline Dr. | Free 3:30 p.m. | 5670 N. Academy Blvd. | Free
Wow your friends with a meal featuring onion marmalade, green chili raspberry jam or cranberry orange chutney. The El Paso County CSU Extension will share the techniques in this hands-on class, and you’ll take home a jar. Preregistration required.
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | 17 N. Spruce St. | $25 | www.elpasoco.com | 719-520-7690
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Free | www.age wisecolorado.org
Now’s your chance to see Vanity Fair’s proclaimed “funniest standup alive” at the Pikes Peak Center! Regan is a veteran of the late-night TV circuit and had his own Netflix show produced with Jerry Seinfeld. Prepare to LOL!
7:30 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $45-$68 | www.pikespeakcenter. com | 719-477-2121
Take a preschool-aged grandchild to the Pikes Peak Center. With sing ing, dancing, humor and creativity, everyone will solve Blue’s Clues to help Josh figure out what he needs for his show.
6 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $30$60 | www.pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2121
Catch the holiday spirit as you tour five professionally decorated homes in northern El Paso County in various styles and color schemes. Includes a gift bag and refreshments. Shop their handcrafted artisan gifts and stocking stuffers. Proceeds ben efit community nonprofits.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 1691 Woodmoor Dr., Monument | $25 and up | www. joysoftheseasonht.org | 970-2143832
This quartet of musicians brings you the best of one of the most wildly successful ‘70s rock acts of all time!
senses with a slow, mindful walk through the woods and a beautiful tea ceremony. Meet at Bear Creek Nature Center. Prepaid registration required.
1-3:30 p.m. | 245 Bear Creek Road | $30 ($20 members) | www.listening pines.com | 719-520-63
The joy, the lights and fan-favorites
“Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24” and “Wizards in Winter” usher in the holiday spirit on TSO’s The Ghosts of Christmas Eve tour! There’s a matinee and an evening show at the World Arena.
2 & 7 p.m. | 3185 Venetucci Blvd. | $29-$100 | www.broadmoor worldarena.com | 719-477-2100
Revel in the sounds of this oratorio for soloists, chorus and the Royal Gorge Philharmonic in the light-filled setting of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. Its numerous texts predict the birth of Jesus Christ.
4-5 p.m. | 7400 Tudor Road | $15-$20 | www.royalgorgephilharmonic.com | 719-285-8734
AgeWise Colorado wants you to be informed about the perils of scammers through an educational webinar on “Fraud, Scams, Pro tecting Your Financial Well-being and Avoiding Exploitation.” Register online.
“Stairway to Heaven,” yes, but some rarely heard Zeppelin classics as well. 7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $15 | www.stargazerstheatre.com | 719-476-2200
Experience the therapeutic practice of Shinrinyoku and awaken your
Peals of brass provide the soundtrack for your Christmas shopping in Manitou Springs! Every Sunday from Thanksgiving to Christmas, a professional brass quartet of trumpets and trom bones strolls along Manitou Blvd. playing carols and interacting with shoppers. It’s atmospheric fun!
12-2 p.m. | Manitou Blvd. | Free | www.manitousprings.org | 719-685-5089
Are you approaching retirement age? “Un derstanding Your Social Security Benefits” offers clear and comprehensive answers. Discover how age and work affect retire ment benefits and learn about spousal, children’s, survivor and disability benefits, with the qualifications and application process for each.
4-5:30 p.m. | Free | www.ppacg.org/ events | 719-471-2096
Watch a family fun movie at the Humana office! The popcorn is on them. Call for details or to RSVP.
12-3 p.m. | 5310 N. Nevada Ave. | Free | 719-851-0313
Let the sweet imagination and beauty of Tchaikovsky’s ballet kick off your holiday season! The Colora do Springs Philharmonic, Oklahoma City Ballet and Colorado Springs
Children’s Chorale team up to present five shows at the Pikes Peak Center.
2 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 7 p.m. Friday & Saturday | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $26-$62 | www.pikespeakcenter. com | 719-477-2121
Enjoy the wonderful music of the season! Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by singing along with your favorite Christmas carols at Sunny side Christian Church. Please email if you’d like to sing in the choir.
5 p.m. | 2025 N. Murray Blvd. | Free | info@onevoicemission.org | 719-591-7481
Get your workout in before your Thanksgiving feast—“huffin’ for the stuffin’”! The 5K raises funds for local families in need. It’s stroller and dog friendly, and dogs get a ban dana. There’s a free Kids’ Tiny Trot too!
8:15 a.m. | 4025 Family Pl. |$15-$40, free 12 and under | www.ppymca. org | 719-282-9622
From the music to the special effects, you’ll love Costume Palooza at the Pikes Peak Center as much as your grandchild! See Spiderman, Mickey, Minnie, Doc McStuffins, the Puppy Dog Pals and Alice (“Alice’s Wonderland Bakery”) live on stage.
6 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $33$63 | www.pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2121 ■
21st Century Toastmasters meets weekly at Library 21c. Fridays | 1 p.m. | 719-591-8045
ACC Grass Roots 307 Cribbage meets weekly at the Colorado Springs Elks Lodge. Wednesdays | 4:30 p.m. | 719-331-1200
ACLU defends civil rights and liberties. Call for details. 303-777-5482
Adult Coloring Club meets monthly at Florissant Library. 1st Thursday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-748-3939
Austin Bluffs Sertoma, a commu nity service organization, meets for breakfast at Hotel Elegante. 2nd & 4th Wednesdays | 7:30 a.m. | 719-460-5561 (Pat)
Austrian-American Enzian Club is a German-speaking culture club that meets monthly at VFW Post #101. 2nd Wednesday | 2-4 p.m. | 719-380-1163
Black Forest AARP meets for a monthly potluck at Black Forest Lutheran Church.
2nd Wednesday | 12 p.m. | 719-596-6787
Black Forest Trails Association meetings are open to the public at Black Forest Community Club. 2nd Wednesday | 6:30 | www.black foresttrails.org
Blazer Ski Club meets weekly year round with organized ski trips, golf, hiking and more. Wednesdays | www.blazerskiclub.org
Bridge Players Duplicate plays daily at the Bridge Center. Monday-Friday at 12:30 p.m. | Tues days at 9 a.m. | Saturdays at 6 p.m. | 719-634-7250
Bulldog Club meets monthly at Westside Community Center.
4th Monday | 6-8 p.m. | goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com
Carnelian Coffee Book Club meets monthly at Out West Gift Shop. 1st Sunday | 1 p.m. | jpaisley@ppld.org
Cheyenne Mountain Hooked on Crochet meets virtually to crochet or knit.
1st & 3rd Thursdays | 10 a.m. | www.ppld.org | 719-389-8968
Cheyenne Mountain Newcomers Club for women meets monthly at Broadmoor Community Church. Annual dues are $30.
2nd Wednesday | 9:30 a.m. | www.cmncos.org
Colorado Springs Breakfast Club for Singles 50+ meets monthly at Patty Jewett Clubhouse. Cost is $20 (cash or check). Must RSVP. 1st Saturday | 9 a.m. | 719-260-0651 | tbc50plus.org
Colorado Springs Chess Club meets weekly at Acacia Apartments ballroom. Tuesdays | 6 p.m.
Colorado Springs Coin Club meets monthly at Fraternal Order of Eagles #143. 4th Tuesday | 6:30 p.m. | 719-632-4260
Colorado Springs Numismatic
Society meets monthly at Gold Hill Police Station’s community room. 2nd Sunday | 2 p.m. | 719-632-4260
Colorado Springs Scrabble Club meets virtually weekly for three games on Woogles.io. Mondays | 6-9 p.m. | 719-332-5141
Colorado Springs Stamp Club meets monthly at Vista Grande Baptist Church. 1st Tuesday | 7 p.m.
Curiosity Unlimited offers contin uous learning opportunities with monthly UCCS professor lectures at Ent Center for the Arts, Chapman Foundations Recital Hall. Visitors welcome! 2nd Friday | 10 a.m. | www.uccs. edu/curiosity | 719-755-5082
DAV Knob Hill holds a bingo fund raiser at 6880 Palmer Park Blvd. to help aid local veterans. Sundays | 5:30-9 p.m. | 719-591-8787
El Paso Pacers walking club meets monthly. RSVP by email. 3rd Thursday | 9 a.m. | 719-5206977 | theresaodello@elpaso.com
Evening Adult Fiction Book Club for daytime workers meets monthly at Woodland Park Library. 1st Wednesday | 5 p.m
Falcon Adult Group meets monthly at High Prairie Library. 1st Wednesday | 11 a.m.
Falcon Garden Club meets monthly at High Prairie Library. 3rd Saturday | 10 a.m. | www.falcon gardenclub.org
Florissant Bookworms meets monthly at Florissant Library. 3rd Wednesday | 12 p.m. | 719-748-3939
Falcon Wanderers Volkssport Club meets for regular walks. Mem bership dues are $10 per person, $16 per couple and $20 per family. 719-597-4307 | www.falconwanderers.org
Friends at the Table Cooking Club meets at Florissant Library. 3rd Friday | 11:30 a.m. | 719-7483939
Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship meets for breakfast at
IHOP, 6005 Constitution Ave. 2nd Saturday | 7:30 a.m. | 719-229-3317
Gleneagle Sertoma, a community service organization, meets twice monthly for lunch.
1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 11:30 a.m. | 719-331-1212
Gold Camp Victorian Society meets monthly at Cripple Creek Heritage Center.
4th Saturday | 2 p.m. | info@gold campvictoriansociety.org
Hi-Country Newcomers is a social group open to all women in Col orado Springs. Activities include hiking, book club, games, lunches and tours. Call for membership and locations.
2nd Monday | 10 a.m. | 719-464-7633
International Dance Club hosts weekly dances. Live bands, variety of styles, family friendly. Cost is $12. Saturdays | 7-10 p.m. | 719-633-0195
MAG (Moving Ahead Group), a so cial group for those who have lost a spouse or partner, meets for dinner at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse. Last Sunday | 4 p.m.
Maxi’s Dance Group meets weekly at Eagles Club #143 with music for ages 40+ and food and drinks for purchase. Cover is $5 members, $8 non-members.
Thursdays | 6-9 p.m. | 719-660-1358.
Not So Young Book Club meets monthly at Woodland Park Library. 1st Wednesday | 11 a.m. | 719-687-9281
Paralyzed Vets of America plays weekly at Bingo World.
Tuesdays | 12:30 p.m. | 719-578-1441
Pikes Peak Camera Club meets virtually. Zoom link on website.
2nd Wednesday | 7 p.m. | 719-634-2376 | www.pikespeak cameraclub.com
Pikes Peak Computer Application Society meets at Springs Communi ty Church, 7290 Lexington Dr. 1st Saturday | 9 a.m. | asdtitus@ gmail.com
Pikes Peak Genealogical Society meets virtually.
2nd Wednesday | 6 p.m. | www.ppgs.org
Pikes Peak Over the Hill Gang meets monthly for dinner. This club is for active adults 50+ who enjoy skiing, biking, hiking, golfing, camp ing, etc. Membership required. 2nd Wednesday | www.ppothg.com.
Pikes Peak Posse of the Western ers meets monthly for dinner and program at the Masonic Center. 2nd Monday | 6 p.m. | RSVP: 719-473-0330
Pikes Peak Water Garden Society meets at Mountain View Church of Christ (April through October). 2nd Thursday | 7 p.m. | 719-6480740 | www.ppwgs.org
PILLAR Institute for Lifelong Learning holds classes (live, Zoom, video) on a variety of topics. www.pillarinstitute.org | 719-633-4991
Rampart Range Blue Star Mothers meets monthly at Falcon Police Department.
1st Sunday | 2 p.m. | 719-651-8038
Read Amok Book Club meets monthly at Florissant Library. 2nd Monday | 12 p.m. | 719-748-3939
Reader’s Circle Book Club meets monthly at Woodland Park Library. 2nd Thursday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-6879281
Red Hat Society meets at Fountain Valley Senior Center 1st & 3rd Fridays | 1 p.m. | 719-6002644
Rotary Club meets weekly for lunch and a speaker at The Antlers. Visit website for Zoom link and to RSVP. Fridays | 12:15 p.m. | 719-338-3239 | www.portal.clubrunner.ca/3250
Silicon Mountain Mac User Group meets virtually. Visit website for Zoom link.
2nd Monday | 6 p.m. | www.smmug.org
Sno-Jets Ski & Adventure Club meets monthly at The Public House at The Alexander. See the website for ski trips, biking, hiking, dinners and other social activities.
Various Wednesdays | 7:30 | www.
snojets.org | 512-791-6416
Socrates Cafe meets weekly for discussion at the Monument Library. Tuesdays | 1-3 p.m. | 719-531-6333, ext. 7005
Sons and Daughters of Italy meets monthly at VFW Post #101. 1st Tuesday | Dinner 5:30, Meeting 6:30 p.m. | 719-290-9586
Sons of Norway meets monthly for a heritage meeting at Viking Hall. 2nd Wednesday | 7 p.m. | 719-574-3717
Travel Club meets regularly through Fountain Valley Senior Center. 719-600-2602 | mbowers@fvscenter.org
Triviality Trivia plays weekly at Gold Camp Brewing Company.
Wednesdays | 7 p.m. | 719-319-3798
Veterans of Korean service (war time or peace) meets monthly at BPOE Elks 304, 3400 North Nevada Ave. Lunch and speaker are $13. Call to reserve.
3rd Saturday | 11:30 a.m. | 719-2146121 | www.vva1075.com
Vietnam Veterans of America meets monthly at Colorado Techni cal University.
4th Saturday | 9 a.m. | 719-650-1513
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1075 meets monthly at Skills Academy, 1575 Garden of the Gods Road.
Last Saturday | 9 a.m. | 719-2358162 | http://vva1075.com
Women’s Army United, Chapter 75 for women veterans meets at Sand Creek Police Department.
4th Saturday | 10 a.m. | 719-6603641
Woodland Park Book Club meets monthly at Woodland Park Library.
1st Tuesday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-687-9281
Yarnia! Knitting & Crochet Club meets monthly at Florissant Library.
2nd Thursday | 10 a.m. | 719-748-3939 ■
“I was laid off from my job as an editor and I thought about doing web design. But one day I had an epiphany and thought, ‘I’m never going to do something that’s not tactical.’ I bought materials to make my first mosaic that day. I’ve been an artist and instructor for 21 years and own Kismet Mosaic. I haven’t looked back.”
“I started college in engineering, but it wasn’t for me. I became a family practice physician because I wanted a career where I’d never be done learning and I could work with people.”
“I’ve been in the Air Force, in telecommunication sales with MCI, in the tech industry and I’ve been a hypnotist. When I was 56, I went back to school to get my master’s in counseling. I’m doing my internship, and we’ll see what’s next!”
“I grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, the Birthplace of Independence. I was always enamored of the military and served in the Army for 29 years. I had orders to go to Afghanistan, but I started Mt. Carmel the day I retired from active duty at 51. I had a vision of helping veterans, and the only way was through a 501c3. In 2014, it was just me. Now there are 30 employees and 100 volunteers. I never in my wildest dreams thought I’d do this.”
Social Security checks will be higher in 2023, thanks to the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) recent announcement of an 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2023. This increase affects more than 70 million recipients of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. It is the largest increase in four decades, most welcome after U.S. inflation rose to 8.2%. According to the SSA, Social Security benefits will
New lower costs on Medicare Part B premiums and drug prices
For the first time in a decade, you will pay a bit less next year on monthly premiums for Medicare’s Part B plan, which covers routine doctors’ visits and other outpatient care. Most people on Medicare will pay $164.90 a month for Part B coverage starting next year, a sav ings of $5.20. The annual deduct ible for Part B will also decrease $7, to $226. Additional savings on prescriptions are part of the Infla tion Reduction Act. Shingles and other recommended vaccines will
increase by more than $140 per month on average beginning in January 2023. Increased SSI benefits will begin on December 30, 2022. To calculate how much your increased benefits will be, multiply your current amount by 1.087. COLA notifications will be mailed out through December. If you do not receive a notice, the SSA requests that you wait until January before contacting them. You can also access your COLA notification online by logging into your “my Social Security” account at www.ssa.gov.
be free for seniors on Medicare. It will cap monthly insulin copayments at $35 per month and will cap other prescription drug costs as well. The Act will also install a $2,000 an nual cap on the amount seniors on Medicare have to pay out of pocket for their medications.
The Age Friendly Pikes Peak Sum mit will be held at City Auditorium in downtown Colorado Springs.
Registration and refreshments start at 9 a.m. A summary of the Age Friendly process will be presented,
based on the feedback from four “listening sessions” held through out the city. Participants will then split into smaller groups for discus sion until 2 p.m. You’ll be able to participate in the groups of your choice depending on your topics of interest. Special efforts to stream line parking and transportation op tions are underway so all interested persons can attend. A box lunch will be served. There is no charge for the event. Register by calling 719602-3815 or at www.innovationsin aging.org.
Introduce a grandchild to the Philharmonic with complimen tary admission
Inspire a love for classical music and share a special grandchildgrandparent event with Free for Kids. This program offers young audiences an invitation to hear the Philharmonic perform live in a true concert setting. Admission for ages 7-17 is complimentary, thanks to the support of GE Johnson Con struction Company and other gen erous donors. For every adult ticket purchased at regular price, the Phil harmonic provides up to two “Free for Kids” tickets. To take advantage of this offer, make your request in person at the Pikes Peak Center Box
Office at 190 S. Cascade Avenue. Visit www.csphilharmonic.org for eligible concerts.
This HUD-subsidized senior (62 and up) and disabled adults apart ment complex located at 2480 East Dale St. is opening its waitlist on November 7. The Villa is an inde pendent living facility with age, disability and income requirements. Pick up an application at the build ing on or after November 7 or call 719-635-9595 to request an appli cation. The applications are entered in the order they are received.
New family-style assisted liv ing accommodations Shana’s Place is newly licensed to accept residents in Palmer Lake.
Owner Shana Ball’s training includes CNA, EMT, paramedic and a BA in nursing management. Although not a lockdown facility, residents with brain injury, dementia, Alzheimer’s and various physical challenges are welcomed, including significant wound care and hospice. Shortterm respite care is offered on a bed-available basis. Medicaid and private pay are accepted. For a tour, call 719-418-5097 or visit www.shanasplaceal.co ■
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Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum (south
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visit: PikesPeakHospice.org/TreesOfLife
At the Black Forest Community Center, 12530 Black Forest Road.
4-7 p.m. Wednesday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday
At the Disabled American Veter ans Chapter 26, Knob Hill, 6880 Palmer Park Blvd.
12-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday
At the Colorado Springs Event Center, 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | $10.50-$11.50
At Calvary United Methodist Church, 4210 Austin Bluffs Pkwy..
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
At Falcon High School, 10255 Lambert Road, Falcon 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
At Marcroft Hall, 9105 Chipita Park Road, Cascade 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday |
At Beth-El Mennonite Church, 4625 Ranch Drive.
4-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Saturday
At St. Peter Catholic School, 124 First St., Monument.
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
At the Antelope Ridge community building, 4001 Gray Fox Heights
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
At Norris Penrose Event Center, 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | $10
Rampart Christmas Cup board Craft Bazaar
At Rampart High School, 8250 Lexington Drive
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
At the Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
At Mesa Ridge High School, 6070 Mesa Ridge Pkwy.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
At Norris Penrose Event Center,
1045 Lower Gold Camp Road.
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday
Your time and wisdom are valuable. Become a Foster Grandparent Classroom Volunteer. You can share your skills and experience while children shower you with curiosity and hugs. Get involved with Volunteers of America’s Foster Grand parent Program.
• Do you love children and enjoy spending time with them?
• Are able to volunteer 15-40 hours per week helping children learn and succeed?
• Are you 55 years old or older? Do you live in El Paso County?
• Is your income under $27,180 for a single person household, or under $36,620 for a two-person household?
• Could you use an extra $200 - $400+ per month, plus travel reimbursement? If you answered YES to these questions, call (719) 632-1448 todayto get involved in the Foster Grandparent Program.
Be comfortable and confident in our premier independent and assisted living community—a place where you can relax, eat well and live life your way.
International Circle Colorado Springs, CO InnAtGardenPlaza.com
International Circle Colorado Springs, CO BridgeAtColoradoSprings.com
ProActive Living–Downsizing
10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Nov. 17 | Free
Wil vs. Trust–with a Lawyer 1-3 p.m. | Nov. 30 | $3
1514 N. Hancock Ave., Colorado Springs
To register for classes, call 719-955-3400 or visit www.CSSeniorCenter.com
Hospice Bingo 10-11 a.m. | Nov. 2 | Free
Digestive Health 101 1-2 p.m. | Nov. 2 | Free
Medicare for Veterans 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Nov. 10 | Free
Nurse Chats: Headaches & Migraines
1-2 p.m. | Nov. 16 | Free
The Lincoln Highway 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Fridays
Flyswatter Volleyball
1:30-2:30 p.m. | Nov. 29 | Free
Pumpkin Pie & Cider Social
1:30-2:30 p.m. | Nov. 4 | $5
Arts & Crafts Fair
9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Nov. 5 | Free
Lost Joe Musical Performance
1:30-2:30 p.m. | Nov. 8 | $1
Veteran’s Salute
1:30-2:30 p.m. | Nov. 10 | Free
Can You Find the Y Turkey?
8 a.m.-5 p.m. | Nov. 14-18 | Free
Mediterranean Diet Workshop
10-11:30 a.m. | Nov. 10 | $5
Android Phones 1-3 p.m. | Nov. 9 | $15
66 Jefferson St., Monument
To register for classes, call 719-464-6873 or visit www.TriLakesSeniors.org
Purse Party (must RSVP)
Play fun games and win a purse of your choosing!
12 p.m. | Nov. 11 | 719-330-0241
Arts & Crafts
11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Thursdays Book Club
11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Nov. 11 | 719-3300241
Strengthen your core and improve balance and mobility.
9-10 a.m. Tuesdays | 12-1 p.m. Thursdays
10:15-11 a.m. | Tuesdays
Exercise your brain with cognitive exercises.
12-1 p.m. | Tuesdays
1:30 p.m. | Tuesdays
Low-impact aerobics, simple weight training and stretching.
8-9 a.m. | Wednesdays
Gentle stretching, meditation and visualization work.
10-11 a.m. | Wednesdays
9 a.m. Wednesdays | 11 a.m. Thurs days
12-1 p.m. | Wednesdays
Bunco
Bring $3 and a snack to share.
1-3 p.m. | Nov. 11
Bingo (must RSVP)
1-2 p.m. | Nov. 17 | 719-330-0241 | sue@monumentalfitness.com
Chess Club
12 p.m. | Mondays
Pinochle
12-4 p.m. | Tuesdays
Hand & Foot
1-4 p.m. | Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Circuit-style workout with cardio and weight training for all levels.
1:30 p.m. | Wednesdays
Zumba Gold
9-10 a.m. | Thursdays
Safe for those with osteoporosis.
1:30 p.m. | Thursdays
Zumba
5:30 -6:30 p.m. | Thursdays
1-on-1 Help with Your iPhone 2-3 p.m. | Nov. 18 |
Color Theory
Seasonal
Butterflies,
Bugs
&
Mahjong 1-4 p.m. | Fridays
Lean & Fit (muscle conditioning)
9-10 a.m. | Mondays
Yoga
6-7 p.m. | Mondays & Wednesdays
10:15-11 a.m. | Fridays
Tai Chi Fusion
Reduce stress and promote serenity through gentle, flowing movements and deep breathing.
12-1 p.m. | Mondays
Strong for Life
1:30 p.m. | Mondays
9-10 a.m. | Fridays
Silver Key offers assistance with fi nances, guardianship, mental health, companionship or ongoing case management.
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Thursdays | mstephens@silverkey.org
VNA offers a foot care clinic with a variety of services. Call for an appointment.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. | 2nd & 4th Tuesdays | 719-577-4448
5745 Southmoor Dr., Colorado Springs
To register for classes, call 719-600-2644 or visit www.FVSCenter.org
Interpretive Dance
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Mondays
Knitting/Crocheting
1-2 p.m. | Mondays
Tap Dance
10:15 a.m. | Tuesdays
Porcelain
9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.; 12:30-3 p.m. |
Tuesdays
Quilters
8:30-11 a.m. | Wednesdays
Oil Painting
9-11 a.m. | Wednesdays
Harmonizers
2 p.m. | Wednesdays
Woodcarving
8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Thursdays
Card Making
9:30-11 a.m. | Thursdays
Dementia Support Group
2-3:30 p.m. | 3rd Monday
Chair Yoga
2:30-3:30 p.m. Mondays | 9-10 a.m. Fridays
Zumba Gold
9-10 a.m. | Tuesdays
Blood Pressure Checks
10:15 a.m. | 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
Cardio Drumming
2:30-3:30 p.m. | Tuesdays
Tai Chi
9:30-10:30 a.m. | Wednesdays
Low Vision Support
1 p.m. | 3rd Wednesday
Zumba Basics
2:30 p.m. | 4th Thursday
Active Minds
2:30 p.m. | 3rd Thursday
Chi Kung
10-11 a.m. | Fridays
Ft. Logan Trip
9 a.m. | 2nd Monday
Movie Day
1 p.m. | 2nd Wednesday
Bingo (and cash prizes)
1 p.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays
Birthday Social
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | 4th Thursday
Wii Games
10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Fridays
Red Hat Society Meeting
1 pm. | 1st & 3rd Fridays
Ice Cream Happy Hour
12:30-2:30 p.m. | 3rd Friday
Game Day
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 1st Saturday
Thrift Store Super Saturday
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | 1st Saturday
Cripple Creek Run
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | 2nd Saturday
321 N. Pine St., Woodland Park
To register for classes, call 719-687-3877 or visit www.WoodlandParkSeniors.com
Western Museum of Mining and Industry & Lunch
10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Nov. 4 | $10
Holiday Bazaar
9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Nov. 12
Fall Photo Contest
Pick up rules at the front desk
Deadline: Dec. 8
Crochet & Knitting
10 a.m. | Wednesdays
Quilters
9 a.m. | Mondays
Dominos, Cribbage & Euchre
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Monday-Friday
Bingo
10:30-11:30 a.m. | Thursdays
Movies with Popcorn & Lemonade
1 p.m. | Wednesdays
Low-Impact Cardio
9 a.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays
Chair Yoga
9 a.m. | Wednesdays
Chair Tai Chi 9 a.m. | Fridays
Silver Key Lunch
Make a reservation 24 hours in advance.
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Mon day-Friday | $3.50
Nov. Potluck Lunch
Bring a dish to share.
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Nov. 11
Nov. Catered Meal & Program
Program: CORE Electric Coopera tive (formerly IREA). Reservations needed by Nov. 15.
11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. | Nov. 22 | Free
What happens when we have flat or down markets? Instead of buying and hoping, learn about a tried-andtrue technique to create consistent returns at Library 21c.
6:30-8 p.m. | November 1
Bring your new/gently used art, craft and hobby materials to the Manitou Springs Library and exchange them for new-to-you craft supplies.
1-4 p.m. | November 5
Patrons speak with an attorney over Zoom. Schedule an appointment by calling 719-531-6333, ext. 6058
3:30-5 p.m. | November 7
Learn how to make delicious Italian Stromboli in this class on PPLDTV’s YouTube channel.
1 p.m. | November 7
Sturdevant at Library 21c to learn the social history of the Thanksgiv ing holiday.
2 p.m. | November 12
Come to Library 21c to discover how to guide the viewer toward the interpretation of your photo using techniques in the photo itself.
4 p.m. | November 11
10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1st & 4th Fridays |
2-4 p.m. 2nd & 3rd Fridays
11:30-1 p.m. | November 18 | 719748-3939
Tai Chi
5-6 p.m. Thursdays | 10-11 a.m. Fridays
11 a.m. | November 19
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Catch this family troupe represent ing four generations at Library 21c.
2 p.m. | November 5
10 a.m. | November 7 & 19
In this Veteran’s Day presentation, Edward Sierra reviews early subma rine history and recalls his journey from boot camp to various naval schools to serving as a Navy Nuclear Power Trained Electrical Operator serving on the USS Billfish.
6:30 p.m. | November 10
Join local college professor Kathy
Join Susan Strizich of Sweet Sue’s Cookies and More to learn how to decorate cookies. Beginners are welcome. Materials are provided.
4:30 p.m. | November 21 | Ute Pass Library
5 p.m. | November 28 | High Prairie Library
Tai Chi
10-11 a.m. | Tuesdays (except Nov. 8)
Come to the library to learn about dinosaurs and see their fossils!
11 a.m. | November 5
“We’re Back! A Dinosaur’s Story”
12 p.m. | November 23
12 p.m. | November 26 T
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Alzheimer’s Association offers free caregiver support, in person and virtually. Call the 24/7 to register. 800-272-3900
Amputee Support Group meets at Encompass Rehab Hospital.
1st Tuesdays | 5-6:30 p.m. | 719-632-5075
Community Reinforcement And Family Training (CRAFT) has sup port for families and friends of loved ones struggling with substance use at Springs Recovery Connection. En glish, Spanish, virtual and in-person options are available. 719-377-2161 | aneeley@srchope.org
Daddy’s Little Girls brings hope to abuse survivors through the love of Jesus Christ.
719-649-9054 | www.daddys littlegirls.net
Dementia Support Group meets at Fountain Valley Senior Center. 3rd Monday | 2-3:30 p.m. | 719-6002644
Depression and Bipolar Support has support for those living with or affected by mood disorders. 719-477-1515 | www.dbsacolorado springs.org
Progressive Veterans is available 365 days a year to help veterans, active duty military and their families with VA health care and disability, homelessness, emergency needs, PTSD and mental health support. 719-488-8351 | www.epccpv.org | info@epccpv.org
Emotions Anonymous, a program for unsolved emotional problems, meets at First Lutheran Church, 1515 N. Cascade Ave. Mondays | 6 p.m. | 719-685-1091
Falcon Senior Services meets at Patriot High School in Falcon. 2nd Wednesday | 11 a.m. | 719-494-0353
Gamblers Anonymous meets virtu ally and in person at the Red Cloud Serenity Club, 10400 Ute Pass Ave. in Green Mountain Falls.
Virtual: Mondays | 6 p.m. In-person: Saturdays | 9 a.m. www.coloradoga.org
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren supports those parenting grandkids. Call for details. 719-578-8007
Grief Share helps attendees find healing after losing a loved one. 4th Tuesday | 10 a.m. | 719-330-0241 | sue@monumentalfitness.com
Headway Brain Injury & Stroke Support Group meets at Fargo’s Pizza, 2910 E. Platte Ave. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. | 719-459-0901
Hearing Loss Association of America meets virtually. www.hlaacoloradosprings.org
Keeping in Balance with the Life Tree meets weekly at Ambrose Fam ily Health. Sessions are $5. Thursdays | 2-3 p.m. | 719-203-5340.
Low-Vision Support Group meets at Fountain Valley Senior Center. 3rd Wednesday | 1 p.m. | 719-600-2644
Monday Morning Happy Hour meets weekly via Zoom for caregiver support. Mondays | 8:30-9:30 a.m. | 520-6476768 | www.journeycarecoordinat ing.com
Multiple Sclerosis Alliance meets virtually. Visit website for schedule. 719-633-4603 | www.msasoco.org
NAMI Support Groups meet vir tually and in person at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave. Registration required: 719-4738477, www.namicoloradosprings.org
• Connection Support Group is for those living with mental health conditions.
Virtual: Tuesdays | 7-8:30 p.m. In-person: Thursdays | 7-8:30 p.m.
• Family Support Group is for fam ily members of people living with mental health conditions.
Virtual: Wednesdays | 7-8:30 p.m. In-person: Thursdays | 7-8:30 p.m.
Overeaters Anonymous meets dai ly over Zoom (except Sundays) and in person on Thursdays at Peak Vista Community Health Center. In person: Thursdays | 9-10:15 a.m. | 719-205-9080 | www.oasouthern colorado.org
Parkinson’s Support Group meets at First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave. 2nd Saturday | 10 a.m.
Polio Survivors Support Group meets regularly. Call for details. 303-212-0017
Proactive Living Series meets at the Colorado Springs Senior Center to share tips on aging and resources. 3rd Thursday | 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
Project Angel Heart delivers free, nutritious meals to those living with life-threatening illness. 800-381-5612
PTSD Spouse’s Support meets at UCCS Veterans Clinic. Tuesdays | 4 p.m. | 719-255-8003
Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets virtually through The Independence Center. 2nd & 4th Wednesdays | 1:30-3 p.m. | 719-471-8181
Vital Times is for those wanting to grow spiritually and meet new
friends. Group meets at Sacred Heart Parish Center.
2nd & 4th Wednesdays | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | 719-600-8642
Widowed Persons Grief Support Group meets twice monthly at the Colorado Springs Senior Center. 2nd & 4th Fridays | 1-3 p.m. | 719955-3400 ■
Starting at $60. Free pickup & delivery or up to 2 hours of on-site tune-up, virus removal and/or training. Call Richard with SOBE I.T. 719-470-1910.
The Villa at Sunny Vista, a HUD-subsidized senior (62 & up) and disabled adults apartment complex located at 2480 East Dale Street in Colorado Springs, announces that its waitlist will open on Nov. 7, 2022. The Villa is an independent living facility with age, disability and income requirements. Applications are entered in the order in which they are received. Pick up an application at the building on or after Nov. 7, 2022, or call (719) 635-9595 to request an application. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and
marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin
Furnished room with private bath available for financially secure female. All utilities included. laundry and kitchen privileges. West side $650 monthly $200 deposit. 719-434-2922.
Senior Apartment for rent. 1BD, 1 person, no smoking, no pets (cat ok), no babysitting or overnight company. $675 per month plus electric & gas, $200 damage/cleaning deposit. 719244-6100.
Maxi’s Dance Group is back! Dance party every Thursday 6-9pm, Eagles Club 1050 S. 21st St. Music for ages 40+, food and drink available for purchase. $8 cover; $5 members. 719-660-1358.
VOLUNTEER AT SILVER KEY to help provide seniors with meals, rides, client support, food pantry support, and veterans support. Office staff and materials support also needed. Please apply online at: silverkey.org/volunteer
MORE THAN A HANDYMAN. Home Maintenance, Repairs, Yard Work, Projects. 15% Senior Discount (62+). Call Mike - a Senior and Veteran. 719-338-4279. Voice mail answered same day.
HANDYMAN SERVICES. ODD JOBS Plumbing, Carpentry, Fences, Decks, Doors, and more. (Mowing or yardwork in the spring and summer.) John 719-471-7471.
EXPERTISE HOUSECLEANING, reliable and trustworthy. Senior personal care services are also available. Please call Karen 719-4342922.
THE ABC’S OF HEALTHCARE. Licensed Health Insurance Agent, 15 years’ experience. Individual/ Family Insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, Medicare plans, Life Insurance, Final Burial Expense, Home Care Insurance, Vision, Dental, and Hearing. Call JoAnne 719-434-2015 PeakInsuraceBroker.com
BEN IS BUYING HOUSES. If you would like a quick, no-hassle cash sale for your home in "as-is" condition and for a fair price, please text or call me so we can talk. Ben 719-492-1671
PERSONAL ASSISTANT – I can provide and help with Rides and Running Errands, Yard/House Work, Home-Made Meals Delivered, Dog Walking/Sitting. Kind, Trustworthy, Dependable, References Provided. Call Joel 719-351-2365.
FASTRACK MOVING. 3 MEN/TRUCK $155 HR. 719-822-8964. www. FasTracMovingandDelivery.com
DAILY LABOR: house cleaning, lawns, gutters by size. Yard cleanup, gardening, residential snow removal $25 per hour 719-310-5247
EXPERIENCED PET SITTER. I can look after your pets, plants or home. For details call Sue 719-302-3338
PERMS, Roller Sets, Teasing, Color, Highlights, Cuts, Blow Dry/Curling, Iron Styles. Quiet in-home salon. Off N. Carefree between Powers and Oro Blanco www.WaveHairSalon.biz Catherine Williams Owner/Stylist Call or Text: 719-675-0169
S.C.S.E. SANDYS CARE SERVICE EXPRESS Specializing in same day, last minute, when available. Mail –bank – babysitting – shower – meals - dog feeding etc. 9am-4pm, MondayFriday. 719-203-8898.
TREE REMOVAL, TREE TRIMMING and stump grinding. 24/7 Emergency Service available. Text or Call Ben's Landscaping 719-492-1671.
1950S-1960S LP’S, 78's AND 45’s. Blues, jazz, rock 'n roll, country, Broadway, movie soundtracks, TV, R&B, soul, children’s, spoken word, etc. I'm a collector, not a business. Call me first - I pay the most for your records. 719-633-5848 or 719-4409288
CASH FOR OLD BANKS AND TOYS, presidential pin back buttons, Simpich dolls, military insignia and memorabilia. Will buy single items or entire collections. 719-632-9904.
ITEMS WANTED. TOYS, comic books, children's books, dolls, movie and music posters, Halloween, guitars and amplifiers, and plastic model kits. I'm a collector, not a business. 719-633-5848 or 719-4409288.
Scientists have discovered a natural way to kill germs fast.
Now thousands of people are using it against viruses and bacteria that cause illness.
Colds and many other illnesses start when viruses get in your nose and multiply. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.
New research: Copper kills viruses in seconds.
Hundreds of studies confirm copper kills viruses and bacteria almost instantly just by touch.
That’s why ancient Greeks and Egyptians used copper to purify water and heal wounds. They didn’t know about viruses and bacteria, but now we do.
“The antimicrobial activity of copper is well established.” National Institutes of Health.
Scientists say copper’s high conductance disrupts the electrical balance in a microbe cell and destroys it in seconds.
The EPA recommended hospitals use copper for touch surfaces like faucets and doorknobs. This cut the spread of MRSA and other illnesses by over half, and saved lives.
The strong scientific evidence gave inventor Doug Cornell an idea. He made a smooth copper probe with a tip to fit in the bottom of the nostril, where viruses collect.
2-3 bad colds every year. Now I use my device whenever I feel a sign I am about to get sick.” He hasn’t had a cold in 10 years. After his first success with it, he asked relatives and friends to try it. They all said it worked, so he patented CopperZap® and put it on the market.
Customers report using copper against:
Soon hundreds of people had tried it. 99% said copper worked if they used it right away at the first sign of bad germs, like a tickle in the nose or a scratchy throat.
Colds Flu Virus variants
Sinus trouble Cold sores Fever blisters
Canker sores Strep Night stuffiness
Morning congestion Skin infections
Infected sores Infected wounds Styes
Ringworm
Other microbial threats
“It works! I love it!”
“I can’t believe how good my nose feels.”
“Is it supposed to work that fast?”
“One of the best presents ever.”
“Sixteen airline flights, not a sniffle!”
“Cold sores gone!”
“It saved me last holidays. The kids all got sick, but not me.”
“I am shocked! My sinus cleared, no more headache, no more congestion.”
“Best sleep I’ve had in years!”
When he felt a tickle in his nose like a cold about to start, he rubbed the copper gently in his nose for 60 seconds.
“It worked!” he exclaimed. “The cold never happened. I used to get
As thousands more tried it, some found other things they could use it against.
The handle is curved and textured to increase contact. Copper can kill germs picked up on fingers and hands after you touch things other people have touched.
Scientists placed millions of viruses on copper. “They started to die literally as soon as they touched it,” said Dr. Bill Keevil.
Tarnish does not reduce how well copper works, EPA tests showed.
Made in America, pure copper. 90-day full money back guarantee. Price $79.95. Get $10 off each CopperZap with code COLA11 Go to CopperZap.com or call toll-free 1-888-411-6114.
Buy once, use forever. Statements are not intended as product health claims and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Not claimed to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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This Thanksgiving, before we dig into the turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, many of us will take a moment to give thanks.
Some of us do it elo quently in the form of a prayer. Some do it hur riedly so the food doesn’t get cold. However, the very next day, our moment of gratitude is often forgotten as our focus turns to Black Friday sales and Christmas shopping. It’s a shame because taking time out every day to count our blessings is uplifting and can be healing.
In her book, “Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You,” renowned journalist Deborah Norville says, “As science is now proving, feeling grateful can actually make us healthier, literally. Practicing gratitude, acknowledg ing the blessings in our lives and making it a point to recognize the good things can change us positive ly. We’ll sleep better and exercise more. We’ll feel more optimistic. We’ll be more alert and engaged. And if we do this over a period of time, we’ll realize that we’re making progress toward our life goals.”
My yoga instructor under stands the power of being thankful. She always ends our sessions with a gratitude practice. We take a moment to cultivate the feeling of gratitude in our hearts and let it fill our mind, body and spirit.
“Blessings and gifts will over flow,” she reminds us, “and return back to you a thousandfold.”
Oprah Winfrey has often spoken about the benefits of keep ing a gratitude journal.
“If you can concentrate on what you have, you will always end up having more,” she says.
Writing down five things you’re
grateful for on a daily basis is the single most important things you can do, she adds.
How does one fit a gratitude moment into every day? Consider picking something you do daily such as taking a shower, shaving, putting on makeup or walking the dog. Commit to using some of that time to reflect on five things you’re grateful for and the reasons you picked them.
If you’d prefer to keep a grati tude journal, choose writing at a set time like right before bed. Keep the routine and a month from now, reflect on any differences. Are you sleeping better? Are you exercising more or making progress toward your goals? Are you happier?
I especially like the idea of a daily gratitude walk. I pull on my boots, grab the leash and the dog and set off into the wooded area near my house.
I’m grateful for the cold; no more biting mosquitoes or danger of getting poison ivy.
I’m grateful for this canopy of trees over my head giving the plan et fresh oxygen.
I’m grateful for my delightful dog who gets to run off-leash because even if she flushed a rabbit and gleefully chased after it, she would come back.
And finally, I’m grateful for the people in my life, including read ers who allow me to share my thoughts. T
“My exact words as I walked into Summit Glen were ‘Wow oh wow.’ The atmosphere is beyond words. Happy residents enjoy their meals with great food in the dining room, there’s the safety of live-in managers 24/7, the cleanliness, great walking paths, beautiful grounds, all the activities and entertainment. I have a new family of friends who are very friendly. Summit Glen has eased the loneliness that consumed me after the loss of a loved one, and I cannot find the exact words to thank God for directing me here. Home is where the heart is, and Summit Glen is it!”
“Living at Summit Glen takes the ‘sting’ out of getting old! There’s peace of mind having an excellent management team available 24 hours a day. We can decorate and furnish our own roomy apartment to make it home, and the dining room with the cheerful young servers creates a very happy atmosphere. The most important advantage of living here is all the many activities and the opportunity to make many new friends.”
“Living at Summit Glen is a pleasure. The food is excellent, with many choices to pick from. My apartment is super, and the accommodations are great. More importantly, the young people who work here are fantastic. Lots of good entertainment is provided by the activity coordinator and her helpers. What more could I ask for? Thanks to our wonderful management team!”
Whether you have Medicare already or you’re taking your first steps toward it, now’s the time to learn about what Humana Medicare Advantage plans are available for 2023 and what they offer.
Humana goes the extra mile to help you get the care you need. This is more than health insurance. It’s human care. See why more than 8.7 million people across the country† have chosen Humana Medicare Advantage plans and stand-alone prescription drug plans.
Stop by and speak to a licensed Humana sales agent in your community
Humana MarketPoint® office 719-532-7700 (TTY: 711)
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
* There’s no obligation to enroll.
† Humana Inc. First Quarter 2022 Earnings Release April 27, 2022. Humana is a Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO and PFFS organization with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, ethnicity, marital status, religion or language. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711) Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711) 繁體中文 (Chinese):
