1. business and industrial

Seasons & Generations
Vol. 2, Issue 4 • North Twin Cities Edition • April, 2013
photography by James Netz, ç James Netz Photography
Baseball Commitments
Tax Humor
Senior Olympics
tbd
•
FREE EDITION •
FROM THE PUBLISHER
It’s a scarey thought, that maybe we’re the crazy neighbors.
IN THIS ISSUE
For Sure - Death & Taxes - pg.4
Birds & Gardens - pg. 5
Age of Champions - pg. 6
Rules of Manhood - pg. 9
Cooking with “Bacon” - pg. 11
Best Sandwhich - pg. 12
Turning 50- pg. 14
The Commitment of Baseball- pg. 16
The Paths of Thrivers - pg. 18
The BBB for Veterans - pg. 20
Take A Break - pg. 22
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I could tell many stories - good, entertaining and odd, about our
neighbors here in Coon Rapids. But as they know where we live,
I should probably shut up about that and just point a finger
at ourselves.
We still have our Christmas lights up.
But they are LED’s, and on a timer
so they aren’t expensive to keep on. And I don’t think they are
annoying to the neighbors.
I always feel that night illumination is friendly and inviting. But since
we’re already past Easter, we may have to take them down.
The year before we invested several hundred dollars in these new
beautiful lights, that we carefully arranged and affixed to the house
and the trees. We were proud and joyous of our holiday cheer.
But we didn’t get around to taking the lights off the trees until June.
Needless to say, the ‘tree rats’a.k.a. squirrels had chewed through
multiple sections of the strands....not fixable, they became trash. And
we started over with more fancy-schmancy lights.
But this has been a harsher winter than last year - still two feet of
snow in our back yard - so until the snow melts, we’re keeping the
lights on!
I Encourage You to Share an Article for Publication
Inspirational Family Stories From and For All Ages
Please let us know if you’d like your
facility added to our monthly delivery.
Minnesota Winter Events / Lifestyle
Senior’s & Baby Boomer’s Childhood Memories
LEGAL STUFF
We are proud of our writers and
advertisers, however, RSVP and
Seasons & Generations magazine
does not endorse content of articles,
editorials or ads.
Laure Rauch, Publisher • Rauch & Sister Varied Publications - RSVP
11535 Jonquil Street NW • Coon Rapids • MN • 55433
phone: 612.804.3160 • email: [email protected]
www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com
www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 3
FOR SURE - DEATH & TAXES
It’s been a long winter
but spring is finally here.
How do I know?
Because, just like last year
it’s a sunny day outside
and I’m trapped at my
desk trying to figure out
how to do my taxes.
Let me amend that last statement: I’m
trapped at my desk trying to figure out
how to use the computer program that is
going to help me do my taxes.
You know what? Let me amend that
statement too: I’m actually trying to
figure how to use the computer that is
supposedly there to help me use the
computer program that is supposedly
there to help me to do my taxes.
I know I should just cave in and take
my taxes to an accountant, but you’ve
got to understand something: I won’t
even ask a stranger for directions! I
once drove from Minneapolis to to
South Dakota and I wound up in Iowa
because I didn’t ask for directions and
blindly trusted my GPS.
I knew I was completely lost, but for
me it was a pride thing. By the way,
Des Moines is a great city.
I’m a do-it-myself kind of gal. Paying
a “trained professional” just seems so
expensive to me. I mean, it’s not like
these people went to school for this or
anything. My business partner, who is
OK, I give in.
I’m calling for CPR
or calling a CPA for help.
They’ll do your taxes and give you the
Heimlich maneuver if you choke on a
sandwich when they tell you what you
still owe.
---- Laure, S&G
an accountant just informed me that
they do go to school for it. So fine,
they went to school for it.
Look, I’ve put together “some-assem-
I wish it were
the medieval times, when
some guy would ride on
horseback to my house
and demand money
for the king.
I’d just give him a bag of
gold coins
-- or maybe just a goat.
That would be so much
less complicated.
bly-required” furniture, (instructions
And why do I always wait until the last
minute? Oh, I know! Because it’s a
horrible experience that I want to avoid
at all costs. I mean, not that filling out
forms and giving away your money isn’t
fun. It’s a blast!
a book shelf or a night stand instead
provided in four languages) myself, so
why can’t I do this myself, too?
I just had a thought: If I could somehow persuade the IRS to let me build
PS - I’m proud and very grateful to be an
American. And I pay my fair share. But,
wouldn’t it be helpful if it wasn’t so damn
difficult to do so.
a book shelf instead of filling out these
forms, I’d be golden. That would be a
walk in the park!
Note to self: Write my senator a letter
and ask him/her if sending Uncle Sam
of doing my taxes is a cause worth
fighting for in Congress.
Another note to self: Find out who my
senator is.
“When it comes to taxes,
there are two types
of people.
There are those
that get it done early,
also known
as psychopaths,
and then the rest of us.”
–Jimmy Kimmel
4 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
BIRDS & GROWTH THIS MONTH
Keep your feeders and
bird baths full and watch
for increased activity as
birds return and
others pass through on
their migratory path.
It’s also nesting season -- put out an old
suet cage feeder filled with dryer lint,
strings, cotton, and pet hair to help birds
build their nests.
When you are doing your spring clean
up, put your small twigs in piles near
bird houses to make it easier for them to
gather what they need.
After a long winter, it’s really hard to
imagine or remember which plants are
where in the garden.
Combine a long period
of inactivity of both
garden and gardener!
Despite the threat of snow that still
lingers, the tulips, crocus and daffidoils
should be blooming soon.
Now is also a good time to make plans
for all the bedding plants you’ll need to
hide bare spaces and fill containers.
If you have a garden and a library,
you have everything you need.
--- Marcus Tullius Cicero
“We can complain
because rose bushes
have thorns,
or rejoice because
thorn bushes
have roses.”
-- Abraham Lincoln
Most nurseries and garden centers are
fully stocked, but don’t be too hasty.
Spring in Minnesota (especially this
year) can be fickle. So, plan ahead
but be careful - and say a prayer for rain
and more sunny days may help too!
Eat your fruit and vegetables.
Drink your milk.
--- Mom
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www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 5
THE AGE OF CHAMPIONS
Senior Olympics
documentary inspires
seniors across the country
Over 300,000 athletes, 50 years old
and up, compete each year in Senior
Olympic competitions.
es 65+
The Tigerett
ampions.
basketball ch
fman
Adolph Hoff
ung,
86 years yo
r.
pole vaulte
A 100-year-old tennis champion, 86year-old pole vaulter, his 89 year old
arch-rival, and a team of basketball
grandmothers. These are the stars of
the new documentary Age of Champions, which chronicles the uplifting
stories of the National Senior Olympics
as these athletes discover the resilience
of the human spirit and triumph over the
limitations of age.
The film premiered at this year’s Silverdocs Film Festival and is already generating a lot of buzz. The Washington Post
called it “infectiously inspiring” and the
film’s athletes have recently appeared
on Martha Stewart Living, NPR, and
ABC Nightly News.
Age of Champions follows
seven senior athletes as
they train for the Olympics
and tackle the challenges
of aging with grace,
humor, and optimism.
chase the Age of Champions Community Screening Kit at the film’s website.
The kit includes the DVD, promotional
materials, and an active aging discussion guide—everything you need to
host a successful screening for your
residents.
“These athletes never give up,” says
producer Keith Ochwat. “They face
tough challenges, but their secret is to
stay positive and always work toward
their next goal.”
“The film’s message is for everyone,”
says Ochwat. “No matter the age or
physical ability, all seniors can take
small steps toward becoming healthier
and more active.”
Ochwat and his team at the Documentary Foundation have screened Age
of Champions at over 1,000 senior
organizations, nonprofits, and long-term
care facilities across the country. This
July, the film will broadcast nationally on
PBS. Check local listings for air dates
and times.
The Community Screening Kit is available at www.ageofchampions.org/host.
Watch the trailer and learn more at
www.ageofchampions.org.
If you are interested in inspiring older
adults in your community, you can pur-
Free screenings at the
Primetime Living Expo
later this month.
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916.456.5229
USE A FOOD
INSTEAD OF
A DRUG.
The mangosteen
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packed full of
xanthones.
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Used in trial
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Your local representative Mary Amlaw • 612.810.1487
Email: [email protected] • www.MyMangosteen.com/MaryAmlaw
6 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
SUNSHINE & VITAMIN D
Vitamin D is found in many dietary
sources, such as fish, eggs, fortified
milk, and cod liver oil.
The sun also contributes
significantly
to the daily production
of vitamin D.
As little as 10 minutes
of exposure
is thought to be enough
to prevent deficiencies.
The term “vitamin D” refers to several
different forms of this vitamin. Two forms
are important in humans: ergocalciferol
(vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is synthesized by
plants.
Vitamin D3 is synthesized by humans in
the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet
B (UVB) rays from sunlight. Foods may
be fortified with vitamin D2 or D3.
The major biologic function of vitamin
D is to maintain normal blood levels of
calcium and phosphorus.
Vitamin D aids in the absorption of
calcium, helping to form and maintain
strong bones. It is used, alone or in
combination with calcium, to increase
bone mineral density and decrease
fractures.
Recently, research also suggests that
vitamin D may provide protection from
osteoporosis, hypertension (high blood
pressure), cancer, and several autoimmune diseases.
Rickets and osteomalacia are classic vitamin D deficiency diseases. In
adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to
osteomalacia, which results in muscular
weakness in addition to weak bones.
Short daily periods of sun exposure
without sunscreen during April to October are enough for most people to make
enough vitamin D. Evidence suggests
that the most effective time of day for
vitamin D production is between 11am
and 3pm.
A short period in the sun means a matter
of minutes – about 10 to 15 minutes for
most people and is less than the time it
takes you to burn. The larger the area of
your skin that is exposed to sunlight, the
more chance there is of making enough
vitamin D before you start to burn.
People with darker skin will need to
spend longer in the sun to produce the
same amount of vitamin D.
We’re increasing the intensity and length
of our sunlight several minutes a day in
April. Get outside to be healthier and to
enjoy the warmth! ---
www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 7
PET PEEVES
By April, you may have broken your new
year’s resolutions. So perhaps it is time
to create a new resolution.
How about turning our
long awaited spring into
the season of
getting-rid-of-small-thingsthat-irritate-you!
Psychologists claim that if you write
something down, you will help get it
out of your system. Then whatever has
irked, dismayed or hurt you in the past
will be gone.
Taking the experts’ advice and in order
to enjoy the spring that is arriving, I am
purging myself of my pet peeves. Here
are a few;
• People who do not say “thank you”
after you hold the door open for them, or
do not hold the door open for those who
come after them.
Sit down and write out your pet peeves.
Try it, you may like it. This spring your
spirit might soar. I’m trying it too!
• Constant SPAM in my e-mail. But, the
______________________________
tasty meat product SPAM® I really like.
• Anyone who litters any place.
• Conversing with people who talk
constantly, blah, blah, blah. I’ve actually
said “I’m sorry, but could you excuse me
for a minute” and walked away. I’m not
sure if they noticed my absence.
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________
• People who don’t send thank you
______________________________
notes for a loving gift. That’s okay, I
won’t send another gift next time.
______________________________
• Really bright lights or loud sounds.
______________________________
But fireworks are still the best!
• Complaining about a problem without
doing anything about it.
______________________________
______________________________
S&G
8 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
DEFINING THE RULES OF MANHOOD
In these confusing days
of changing morals
and shifting values,
I thought it might be
valuable for male readers
to review the four basic
rules for manly men.
Women are also
invited to listen in.
Rule No.1 — A man must never talk
about, mention, or otherwise refer to
the subject of pants to another man. It’s
okay for women to talk about clothes—
anybody’s clothes, in any context whatsoever. But for a man to mention the
subject of pants to another man, well, it
just makes everybody feel awkward and
uncomfortable.
There are no exceptions to this rule
Such unacceptable phrases would
include: “Hey Frank, how do you like my
new pants?”
“Wow! Those are nice pants.”
See how awkward and uncomfortable
that makes you feel?
And there is no situation in which this
rule may be broken. Not even, “Um,
buddy? Your pants just caught fire,”
is acceptable. Trust me, a man would
much rather find out his pants are on
fire himself rather than hearing it from
another guy.
Rule No. 2 — Never talk to other men
in the public restroom. The standard is
that a man is allowed only one verbal
exchange at the sink, and only at the
sink, and that can only be about sports
or the sermon (if at church).
For example:
“Good sermon today.”
“Yeah, how ’bout them
Twins?” is a
more-than-adequate
men’s room conversation.
Rule No. 3 — Never verbally share your
feelings with another man. This is not
to say you can’t share your feelings for
him—just not verbally. He will most appreciate it if you do one of the following:
1) Whack him on the back
2) Punch him on the shoulder
3) Nod at him
restroom. Going into a men’s room and
saying something like, “Dude, let me tell
you how I feel about your pants!” might
just cause both parties irreparable damage in the community of manly men.
I should also point out that real men
(and real women too for that matter)
seek the Lord and trust in Him. In the
Bible, John 6:28-29 records Jesus being asked, “What must we do to do the
works God requires?”
Jesus answered, “The work of God is
this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
There it is. No complicated rules. No
stipulations. No confusion.
The foundation and beginning of any
meaningful relationship is trust. I believe
God passionately desires to communicate that he can be trusted—with our
families, our finances, and our souls.
It isn’t easy figuring out all the rules of
this world, but don’t you just love the
idea of a God who is more concerned
about relationships than rules?
For a man to do all three at once is the
highest form of manly man affection.
Charles Marshall
is a nationally
known comedian
and author.
Rule No. 4 — Never share your feelings
about another man’s pants in the men’s
Please visit his
Charles
website at
www.charlesmarshall.net
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If you like our magazine,
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If you don’t,
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www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 9
SHORT BUT TRUE
How I Learned to
Mind My Own Business
I was walking past a
residential facility the other day
and people were shouting. “13...13...13...”
The fence was too high to see over, but I saw a small
gap in the planks, so I looked through
to see what was going on.
On Parenting
“It is amazing how quickly the kids learn to drive a car,
yet are unable to understand the lawnmower,
snowblower or vacuum cleaner
--Bill Cosby
Honeydew’s & Honey-Do’s
First, east some fruit today.
You’ll feel better.
Some idiot poked me in the eye
with a stick,
then they all started shouting, “14...14...14.”
Kids Say the Darndest Things
Art Linkletter’s TV show House Party aired from
1952-1970. In one of his child interviews he asks a
sweet young girl “What would you do first, if you were
President?” Her response was simply “Keep my mouth
shut and do my chores.”
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10 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
‘Bacon’ has been Roger’s nickname since elementary school. He learned to cook and bake
at an early age from his mom, Eleanor who made the best pies in Morrison County.
COOKING WITH ‘BAC ON’
••
Roger aka ‘B
This time of year we transition from cold to warm, and back again. With some luck, the snow will melt
soon and we will have a full spring. During this time of year we may start out our day putting on a
jacket and end up wearing a light fabric shirt by late afternoon. On days like these I wonder,
“What can I make for dinner?” A good homemade soup seems fairly easy and fits with the weather.
Soup can easily be left unattended and allow you to go outside when the weather has warmed or
stay indoors if it is still lousy outside. I recently prepared Smoky Bean Soup which we enjoyed for
several days.
---Bacon
acon’
oup
Smoky Bean S
Ingredients
beans
2 cups dry soup
or shanks
ed pork hocks
3 – 4 lbs. smok
tituted)
m can be subs
ha
or
ks
lin
ge
(sausa
atoes cut up
can whole tom
1 qt. or 28 oz.
onion
½ cup chopped
rrots sliced
3- 4 medium ca
ry chopped
3 stalks of cele
Bay leaf
rsley
1/8 cup dried pa
6 cups water
Beans are one of
nature’s healthiest foods.
They are naturally low in
total fat, contain no
saturated fat or cholesterol.
They provide important
nutrients such as; fiber,
protein, calcium, iron, folic
acid and potassium.
The U.S. dietary
guidance says that
including beans may
reduce your risk
of heart disease and
certain cancers.
Cooking Directions
Soak beans overnight, or for
a minimum of 4 hours in 6
cups of water. Check the
beans for small foreign sub
stances. There is nothing
qui
te like taking a spoon of
soup to find a small pebble
. Rinse and drain after soa
king.
Add beans and all remaining
ingredients to a stock pot.
Cover and simmer for 2 to
3 hours. Remove meat. Trim
fat and discard bones. Retur
n pieces of meat to soup
mixture. Allow to simmer unt
il beans are soft. Salt and
pepper to taste.
You can cut preparation tim
e by pressure cooking the
beans and pork together.
Use the liquid in place of the
water called for in the recipe
.
The addition of tomatoes giv
es this soup a red color and
a very good flavor in
comparison to the traditiona
l bean soups that do not use
this
as an ingredient. Grab
yourself a slice of hearty wh
ole grain bread and enjoy!
www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 11
BEST BBQ FOUND IN CHAMPLIN
S&G magazine
recently heard of
Q Fanatic BBQ restaurant
in Champlin, from the TV
show Diner’s, Drive-In’s
& Dives, which is why we
came here the first time.
It was the best sandwich
I’ve ever eaten!
We called, we ate again!
We talked with Charlie,
the owner.
S&G: Has that television exposure
made a difference in your business?
Q Fanatic: Yes, BBQ has a following
as does the other food network shows.
It’s two niche’s that we fall into – those
people who travel and when they’re
in town they look for diners and BBQ
places. Probably about 1/3 of our
business comes from out of town.
We have a map showing we’ve had
someone from every state, most providences in Canada, and people from 23
countries have eaten here.
S&G: What’s the time commitment of
being on a TV show?
Q Fanatic: We were interviewed for a
full length segment, but we didn’t make
the cut. But they still needed a short
segment. The production company at
that time was still in Plymouth and one
of the film crew guys lived in Anoka and
frequented the restaurant.
They called on Tuesday - they would
be here on Friday over the 4th of July
weekend. They told us ‘we have high
definition cameras so everything needs
to be spotless’, so I pretty much cleaned
around the clock, literally.
They got here around 6:00 am, and I
was the only one here and they told me
it wasn’t quite good enough because the
grill wasn’t spotless. I explained that we
use these grills, and they’re clean, but
they aren’t brand new - but we’re still
running a business and serving food.
Filiming still took until 8:00 that night.
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12 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
S&G: We have a small smoker at home.
Where do you get your BBQ wood?
my efforts more than my education that
allowed us to open here.
Q Fanatic: Up in Fort Ripley - they ship
all over the world.
We grew up on a hobby farm. We
canned a lot of our own food. With this
restaurant we wanted to focus on the
quality and freshness of food I
remember as a child.
S&G: How much meat do you order?
Q Fanatic: 50 pigs worth of meat a
week, close to 150 racks (ribs) a week
- half comes from the spare and half
comes from the back.
S&G: I’ve stated that the ‘Q Ban’ is the
best sandwich I’ve ever eaten - smoky
pulled pork, ham and a pickle on a fresh
baked bun. What’s not to like about
that? And it is great as a leftover if you
can’t eat it all. Portions are generous.
Q Fanatic BBQ and Grill is located at
180 Miller Road in Champlin. You’ll
LOVE the food, you’ll enjoy the familyfriendly atmosphere, and I especially
liked their choice of old-timey R&B
music in the background. ----Laure, S&G
S&G: You’ve started to do catering?
Q Fanatic: Yes. Typicially in summer we
handle 10 parties a day on weekends
- for graduations and other events. Many
events we just supply the meat, and
the family provides the sides of bread,
beans and coleslaw themselves.
S&G: Your children, wife, and extended
family are involved in working in the
restaurant, but mostly part-time. Do you
ever sleep?
Q Fanatic: Normally I’m up at 3:00 a.m.
starting the smokers, and then nap for a
little bit. There’s a cot with my name on
in the back of the restaurant. I take my
son to school around 7:00, and back
again to the restaurant.
My wife and I have five children, ages
16-24, and they’re all involved in the
restaurant in some way.
S&G: What’s your inspiration or background in the restaurant business?
Q Fanatic: I’ve been cooking for 35
years, schooled at the Cullinary Institute
in New York, worked at multiple restaurants, and had my own catering kitchen.
But my best education was from the
school of hard knocks. It was mostly
www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 13
50+ CAN BE A FICKLE NUMBER
You can look back
at the first half of your life
and think,
“job well done”, or
you can look back and say,
“what was I thinking?”
nd
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12
July, 20
Looking forward is only possible by first
looking back and taking into account
questions. People today are being cut
from jobs they have worked at for over
30 years. As they re-enter the workforce,
they find the same job now requires an
educational degree.
For the past few years, I had tossed
around the idea of going back to school
to get a BA degree. I have done much
soul-searching over the past two years.
I needed to work
at something I felt
passionate about.
My kids are both adults now. They are
two young adults, prepped to take on
life challenges—that’s what parents do,
teach and nurture.
It’s funny how my passion sat in my
head, waiting to emerge. I’ve dealt with
many experiences in my lifetime that we
are told will make us stronger, if they
don’t kill us.
to do with my life?
What about writing?
Becky
I determined that
writing would be my passion
for the remainder of my life.
I am constantly asking and searching
for deeper meaning and explanations
to many things. There doesn’t seem to
be a bottom or an end to my questions.
Quite a few people in my life unknowingly have spurned my interest in this
vast, creative world.
My path is finally clear to me. Writing,
yes, writing it will be.
Becky from Rockford, MN was a
returning college student at age 51.
What a great base to work with in my
writing— life experiences. Detailed
memoirs, descriptions of places, and
history, are all fascinating to me. I especially love to write about places.
She wrote us again this month to share
another story
and photo of
her graduation
with her proud
children.
I have been journaling off-and-on my
entire life. Hmm, what is it I really want
Congratulations on
receiving your BA.
Turning the Page
How did my youth
Just slip away?
It seems it lasted
Just a day.
I once would imagine
What my future would hold
But now that I’m here
It has yet to unfold.
I hope that I’m safe
And eternally bound.
What’s lost has been lost
What’s to come shall be found.
Holding on to my youth
But turning the page,
I gracefully accept
My new coming of age.
Nancy Blais • Crystal, MN
ot
ould n
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14 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
---Laure, S&G
APRIL DATES TO NOTICE
April 10th • National Sibling Day
A day to appreciate and cherish your
brothers and sisters. Siblings are truly
a blessing that we may sometimes take
for granted. They are often our best
friends and supporters through life and
not everyone is lucky enough to have
siblings to tease, irritate and love.
Scrabble was created in 1938 by Alfred
Mosher Butts. It is sold by Hasbro, Inc.
It’s very easy to celebrate Scrabble Day.
Just get out the old board, dust it off,
and play a few games!
Celebrate National Sibling Day in a
variety of ways. Visit them if they live
nearby. Call them, if they live far away or
send them a card or a letter.
Claudia Evart, President and Founder
of this day, initiated National Sibling Day
after the death of her brother and sister.
April 13th • Scrabble Day
Celebrates the popular board game.
®
April 19th • National Garlic Day
It’s a vegetable. Its’ an herb. It is used in
recipes around the world.
Garlic has also been used medicinally
for thousands of years. About the only
negative thing you can say about it, is
that it can negatively affect an otherwise
romantic evening.
Garlic is believed to provide protection against heart disease and some
cancers, lowers blood cholesterol levels,
reduces the buildup of plaque in arteries. Some believe it to fight off colds.
Celebrate National Garlic Day by using it
in your meals and snacks today. Spend
some time researching its medical
benefits and try a new garlic recipie for
dinner tonight.
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• Discounts for Seniors & Veterans
Visit our website for lots of details and local photos • www.OldBathtubs.com
We welcome an old fashion phone call - speak to a live person (651)-775-8827
www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 15
THE COMMITMENT OF BASEBALL
I remember as a kid
listening to the Dodgers
games on the radio at an
elderly neighbor’s house.
We would sit on the front porch or out
in the back yard with a transistor radio,
you remember those, right? The sound
of the announcer Vin Scully, describing
each play with excitement. We lived in
California until I was eight and being far
from my grandparents in the Midwest we
adopted a neighbor couple in their 60’s.
Did I say they were
elderly? I guess they
seemed older back then!
My parents themselves weren’t sports
fans in any way so there were no loyalty
issues with my team of choice.
When we moved back to the Midwest
in 1976 I stayed a Dodgers fan even
though in Iowa there are so many teams
closer to home to root for - the Brewers,
Twins, Cubs, White Sox, and Royals
- the choices seem endless. My grandparents, who lived in Wisconsin, were
always Cubs fans. When we spent time
with them in the summer the Cubs were
on the radio. Sometimes in the evening
you could hear Harry Carey calling the
game over the radio in the barn. I’m
certain the cows appreciated the play by
play during milking.
I think what I like about baseball is the
whole experience. I prefer a college or
minor league game if you are going to
be there in person. It just seems more
real, not quite so polished. Maybe there
is some hokey local mascot or a bag of
chips chasing a piece of pizza around
the bases. Kids running around, the
little guys acting tough in their ball caps
and trying to get someone to sign a ball
and if they catch one in the stands, well
that’s just nirvana.
The sounds and smells of the stadium,
sitting in the sun, heat and humidity
makes that large glass of whatever your
preferred beverage is taste that much
better. This whole sitting in the sun with
your shorts, tank tops and sunglasses
hoping for a breeze off the outfield as
the sun sets on an afternoon game is
really the heart and soul of baseball.
I think that is why over the last 10 years
since my oldest boy started T-ball, I
have come to dread baseball season.
Registration begins in January. I know,
absolutely crazy! Most of us haven’t
come up for air after Christmas let
alone gotten the tree taken down, and
basketball is in full swing. By the end
of February the try-outs start. Older kids
have already been practicing for weeks!
As most parents know T-ball is painful to
watch and most of the time an exercise
in complete futility. If you can get them
to knock the ball 2 feet off the T and run
the bases in right direction it’s tantamount to a Hall of Fame moment.
Kudos to all the
grandparents out there
who come out to these
games. I don’t know if
this is what you had in
mind for your retirement,
but you are collecting
some big karma points.
By the time they are 12 or so it’s like
watching an actual game. You might
even find yourself cheering, and jumping
out of your seat after a good play. If you
have made it to this level, you’ve been in
Ball playe
r sons sh
own here
- clean!
this for seven or so years! Now that my
friends, is commitment!
Because we currenty live in the Pacific
Northwest it rains pretty much on a
daily basis until early July. Most of the
baseball season April through early
June is spent calling the rain out line
on an hourly basis to see if you are
rained out for the night. Rain outs are a
blessing and a curse. While the up side
is you will not be sitting in the pouring
rain, wearing rain gear, gloves, boots, a
stocking cap because it is so cold and
huddling under an umbrella hoping it
does not turn inside out with the next
gust of wind, the down side is the game
will have to be made up.
Make up games translate to double
headers anytime the field is remotely
playable and the outfield is just a
swampy puddle rather than a lake.
Sometimes during a hot mid summer
baseball game the center fielder appears to be standing in a mirage, let me
assure you if it is any time before June
here it’s not a mirage, but an actual pool
of water that they are standing in! The
boys, because now I have a high school
player and a 9 year old, are unrecognizable spattered with mud, their cleats
packed with it, soaking wet uniforms,
cheeks red from the cold.
16 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
Of course being
the meanest mom ever,
I make them strip down to
their slider shorts
and t-shirts before
getting in the van.
Their complete and utter
mortified embarrassment
is really none of
my concern.
Keeping mud out of the vehicle that I
have been spending much of my life in
for the last few years is.
I keep plastic trash cans in the back for
muddy uniforms and cleats. These get
placed in the driveway waiting for a hose
down by the afore mentioned players after they have had a shower to thaw out.
You may be thinking I’m not a baseball
fan! On the contrary it is just that I long
for the baseball of my childhood, Midwest small town or college ball, the boys
of summer.
Where you go in the heat of the day with
the sun blazing down, where you hope
for some relief with the sun setting over
the outfield, hot dog and cold drink in
hand.
Not the baseball of my
middle age,
a parent of
ball players, where
I appear to be dressed
to go skiing and hope
I will be warm enough,
where practice ends
‘when it gets dark’
which the coaches hope
will not be before 6pm,
but usually is,
where my beverage of
choice is a double tall,
non-fat latte, extra hot.
I ask you really, is this baseball?
Bridget is a Critical
Care RN. She has
a husband of 22
years, 3 kids,
3 goldfish, a cat
and a dog.
Charles Ma
rshall
Bridget
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www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 17
EXPLORING THE PATHS OF ‘THRIVERS’
It all started in
grade school when
I would go to
the nursing home
after school
to shave my Grandfather.
It became a special part of my day that
I looked forward to. My positive experience as a youngster later led me to work
as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) at
the nursing home for summer employment during my high school and college
years.
It was at this time, I realized my view
and experience of older adults was different than most. I thought these people
may be old in age (years lived), but they
all had a life story to tell, unique gifts to
share, personalities that shined, and an
abundance of wisdom to share; something of value and significance.
As a young adult, my lifelong interest
in health and wellness both personally
and professionally began and thus, most
of my work experience has been with
companies of similar focus: 24 Hour
Nautilus, YMCA, and Nutrisystem.
It was no surprise to me or those close
to me when I decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Gerontology (the study
of aging). Gerontology was an avenue
I could incorporate my two passions:
aging + wellness = Aging Well.
Over time, I became increasingly more
curious why some people just survive
old age and some people thrive. I assumed, like many people do, that we
are victims of sort of the aging process
with very little say in how we age. It
was my own experience around aging
well and being a qualitative researcher
within older populations that has forever
changed my vision of aging.
Generation AgePotential and the like are
a generation of older adults who are not
adhering to the Ageist ways of thinking;
but instead, rocking the world of aging
as we know it!
If only we would listen, learn, and apply!
The people who are
thriving in old age
adamantly state they are
not “special” people,
but what does appear to
be “special” is the way
they choose
to live out their life.
ell.
Campb
by Lori
l
a
ti
n
ts.
Pote
highligh
ur Age
me
ed and
ken Yo
Primeti
rn
a
e
tu
w
th
A
rs
t
f
e
a
o
rn
y
n
o
p
o
c
o
rs
s,
pe
of my c
t-it note
t her in
nal look
ave pos
e. Mee
h
id
I
s
k
d
o
A perso
e
o
b
eb
ur
hout th
p by yo
S&G
Throug
k to kee
o
o
Laure,
b
-t
-n
.
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ll
th
e
n
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An e
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xpo late
Living E
Lori Campbell,
Generation AgePotential evolved out
Gerontologist, author,
of my compelling desire to heighten
and public speaker.
the awareness of the individual potential to age well and to address a gap
in contemporary aging and aging well
dialogue: the void of the older adult’s
perspective.
She can be reached
at 701.360.0377 or
Email; [email protected]
or visit her website
www.AgePotential.com
18 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
Lori
HIRING A CONTRACTOR
Solicit Multiple Quotes
Shop around and get at least three
written estimates.
Verify License Insurance & Bonding
Ensure that companies have a current
license to do work in Minnesota, as well
as liability and workers compensation
insurance that they are bonded.
Get References from friends and relatives, and also ask the company for
references from their last three jobs
before you sign a contract.
Use Extra Caution with sales people
who are going door-to-door claiming
to be doing work with your neighbors;
ensure they are an employee of the
business they claim to be representing.
Get a Lien Waiver which is a statement
by the contractor that suppliers and
subcontractors have been paid.
Don’t Forget Building Permits
Permits are for your protection and help
ensure work will meet local building
codes. Companies are required to get
permits and should be responsible for
obtaining any necessary permits - not
you.
Don’t Rely on Verbal Promises
Any promises made orally should be
written into the contract, including
warranties on materials or labor.
Arrange a Payment Schedule
Never pay in full in advance of a project.
Stagger your payments according to
agreed-upon stages of work completion
and do not make a final payment until all
work is finished. Never pay in cash; use
a check or credit card.
Consider All Angles Keep in mind that
if you choose to do business with someone who is not local, you need to know
who to contact in regard to any service
needs that may arise after the completion of the project.
Get It In Writing
Do not allow work to start without a
signed, written contract that includes
start and completion dates, exact costs,
specific work to be done, and warranty
information. Anything you sign is a contract. Pay special attention to any details
in bold, that are underlined, or that you
need to initial.
Picture Perfect Grooming
Most Small Dogs, Full Service $40
Includes: Bath, Hair Cut, Nails Trimmed & Ears Cleaned
Gary is the
Senior Outreach
Program Manager
for the Better
Gary Johnso
Business Bureau
n
of MN and ND.
He can be reached
at 651-695-2424 or 800-646-6222
www.bbb.org
Studio K
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Nails Trimmed $9, Teeth Brushed $6, Butt Trim $10,
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Subscriptions enveloped and delivered by
first class mail. One year (12 editions) only $18
(1 block East of Bunker Lake & Round Lake Blvd.)
Call 763.767.7704
www.StudioKGroupFitness.com
www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 19
STOP YOUR GRIPING! SUCK IT UP!
“Don’t be a wuss!”
“Buck up, Buckaroo!”
The military was never
known for its “softer” side.
veterans suffered Post-Traumatic Stress
Unethical businesses that do not deliver
Syndrome (PTSS) symptoms silently
the quality of product or services that
because they were told it was heroic.
the customer expects. In these cases,
Many found the burden too heavy and
placing a complaint can end this reign of
they lost their battle to the overwhelming
criminal activity. It can give the com-
suicide epidemic within the military and
plainant peace-of-mind that they have
veteran community. Today, help is but a
phone call, website or Iphone App away.
The “Veterans Crisis Line” at 1-800-2738255 (Press 1) is a good resource to
keep in mind for any military or veteran
in need of support.
Even in the midst of Basic Training in
the hot, Texas sun, Training Instructors
set the guidelines that would continue
my entire military career. Don’t complain!
That advice is great in the midst of a
The military preaches
honor, service, honesty
and ethics----too bad
some people didn’t get
the same message when
they were growing up!
combat zone, Inspector General inspection, or on a deployment, but it does not
There are unscrupulous people that
always serve Servicemembers, Veter-
scheme to defraud the Servicemember
ans or their family members well when
or Veteran or senior citizen from their
something goes wrong.
hard-earned dollars. False charities
using the U.S. flag in their logo, or telling
When you are ill, injured or emotionally
upset---all the remedies are withheld unless you speak up, identify the situation,
and honestly report symptoms.
The Veterans’ Administration and all
military services are rewriting that part
of the “No Whining” code. Too many
a heart-wrenching story about a veteran
or family bait unsuspecting donors.
Scammers targeting
elderly veterans and
charging them for
end-of-life benefits that
the VA provides for free.
been heard, respected and recognized.
In any of these cases,
the Better Business
Bureau stands ready
to assist in the complaint
process, mediate with
both parties and refer
trends to
law enforcement officials.
Vicki Lokken-Paverud is the Military
Program Coordinator for the Better
Business Bureau of MN and ND.
She served 16 years
honorably with the
US Air Force,
is a disabled
veteran and
provides family
and work
support to
military
communities.
For additional
help, please
contact her at
the BBB
651.699.1111
or 800.646.6222
20 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
Vicki 1975
Vicki
NATURE’S PURPLE & GREEN BEAUTY
The Aurora Borealis Our Beautiful Northern Lights
There has been higher-than-normal aurora activity this
winter. Gazers from
around the world have
been contacting the
Alaskan GI for information on aurora viewing,
mostly wondering if
they will be able to see
the display in the lower
48 states.
Many aurora watchers
have submitted photos
and featured here is a panoramic shot by astrophotographer Goran Strand of Sweden. The title of this is The
Little Astrophotographer, a tribute to the children’s novel
The Little Prince.
Provided by the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska,
Fairbanks. For more photos please visit www.gi.alaska.edu
Lilacs bloom with the weather and we’ve had a
long winter in this year. Expect them to bloom in May or June
this summer. As the bloom only lasts for a week or two, take
lots of pictures and enjoy them during the cold months.
Here’s one from our back yard last summer. Remember summer? I can, only barely. In my defense, if retail stores can start
selling Christmas before Halloween, I think it’s okay to talk
about summer when we’re still melting this winter’s snow.
veteranscardonations.com
honorflighttwincities.org
is a Local Charity #824844-2 • Same Day Service, Free Tow
Mpls/St.Paul
651-646-1054
612-366-5811
Oronoco
Rochester
1-888-366-5811
www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 21
TAKE A BREAK
Every SUDOKO has a unique solution that can
be reached logically. Enter numbers into the blank
spaces so that each row, column and 3x3 box
contains the numbers 1 to 9.
This Sudoku difficulty rating: MEDIUM
1
7
8
4
9
3
WORD SEARCH
This month’s theme is WASHING
THE CAR. Words are shown forwards,
backwards, up and down or diagonally.
5
2
6
8
1
8
7
9
3
6
4
9
3
4
1
9
1
2
7
2
6
1
8
To connect the dots players alternate turns with
drawing a horizontal or vertical line between a pair of
dots to close four sides. Each time you create a box, put
your initial inside. Each boxed initial counts as one point.
Player 1 ________ Player 2 ________
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FUNNY ANSWERING MACHINE MESSAGES;
Hello, this is Sally’s microwave. Her answering
machine just eloped with her tape deck, so I’m
taking her calls. If you want anything cooked while
you leave your message, just hold it up to the phone.
PUZZLE ANSWERS:
22 www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN
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www.SeasonsAndGenerations.com •(612) 804-3160 • Minneapolis, MN 23
Look
Younger
NeriumAD Age-Defying Treatment is
a night cream that address multiple
concerns at once; fine lines and wrinkles,
discoloration, uneven skin texture and
aging skin.
We are a nature-based product
with no harsh ingredients.
Safe for all skin types.
The average NeriumAD clinical trial
participant experienced a 30% reduction
in the appearance of wrinkles and/or
discoloration over a 30 day period.
I bring actual before and after photos from all from around
the Twin Cities so that you can see the amazing results from
this ‘accidental discovery’. And you can personally try and feel
the wonderful effects of NeriumAD. ---Terri
Earn up to a 50% discount on NeriumAD
by hosting a ‘Real Results Party’
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Phone 612.382.8148 • email [email protected]
www.Trea.Nerium.com