February 2024- BEACON Senior News - Colorado Springs by BEACON Senior News

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Living Your Best Life After 50 in Colorado Springs

FEBRUARY 2024

Will you be my

Galentine?

Don’t forget your gal pals this Valentine’s Day!

The 2024 BEACON Guide is HERE! Get your FREE guide to aging well in Colorado Springs (details inside)

What My Dead Aunt Could’ve Taught Me About Love and Lovers—If Only I’d Asked

What to Do When Inheritance Tears Siblings Apart

N ew Engla nd R ails & Sails

C olorado H istoric Trains 3,149 PER PERSON

June 14-22, 2024

2024 Travel Destinations

October 5-13, 2024

Free air from s Colorado Spring if booked by 2/5

3,849 PER PERSON

Day 1: Depart Colorado Springs for Denver. Meet your fellow travelers at 5:00 p.m. for a get-acquainted dinner

Tour New England by rail and sail during autumn’s spendor!

hosted by your Tour Manager.

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. Day 9: After breakfast, depart Boston for Colorado Springs.

Day 2: Venture into Rocky Mountain National Park, a living showcase of the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains. Day 3: Board the Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad. Later, travel through scenic Monarch Pass and Curecanti National Recreation Area and visit the Black Canyon of Gunnison National Park while en route to Montrose. Day 4: It’s “full steam ahead” aboard the Durango & Silverton Gauge Railroad. Later, check into the Sky Ute Casino Resort. Day 5: Visit the land of the ancient Pueblo Indians in Mesa Verde National Park. Day 6: Board the motorcoach and ride to the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the original Rio Grande Line. Explore 50 miles of wild and rugged territory between Chama, NM and Antonito, CO, the highest point on the railroad. Day 7: Aboard the Royal Gorge Railroad follow the 12-mile route along the old Denver and Rio Grande Western train line. Then, enjoy a drive through the stunning Garden of the Gods. Day 8: Following breakfast, transfer back to Colorado Springs. *Total price - $3149 per person, double occupancy; single supplement is $1149. Deposit of $375 per person is needed to secure the booking; final payment due April 5. Price includes fully escorted tour, 14 meals, all rail tickets and accommodations, all taxes and surcharges. Optional travel insurance is $250 per person.

NEW ENGLAND

COLORADO

Quality Cruises and Travel

Proudly Presents

*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.

R hine C astles & M aselle V iney July 29-August 9, 2024

ards

4,476 PER PERSON

C lassic Italy by R ail *

Day 1: Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Zurich, Switzerland. Day 2: Upon arrival vat Zurich airport, you will be met and transferred to your innovative Emerald Cruises Star-Ship in Basel. Day 3: Commence your magical morning with a tour of Colmar. Walk down the cobblestone lanes where window boxes full of colorful blooms adorn the half-timbered façades or embark on a canoeing adventure on the banks of the Rhine. Day 4: This morning, dock in Kehl and journey by coach to the medieval capital of France’s Alsace Region, Strasbourg. Day 5: Your day will start with a guided tour of Mainz and visit to the impressive sandstone cathedral of the tremendous Old Town. Day 6: Visit the grand Schloss Johannisberg Winery in the breathtaking Rheingau region. Discover a unique wine culture and fabled history during this exclusive tour. Alternatively, participate in an active hike through vineyards to the historical Niederwalddenkmal Monument. Day 7: Enjoy the enchanting town of Cochem during a guided tour of its well-preserved sites, including the remains of the historic town wall with its old fortifications and many other gems. Day 8: In Bernkastel, stroll through the medieval marketplace, castle ruins and town gate on a guided walking tour. Or, take part in an active hike to the Landshut Castle Ruins overlooking the Moselle. Day 9: Visit Marksburg Castle, with it’s single tower peering over the turrets and castle walls, it resembles something you would find in a Brothers Grimm tale. Day 10: Today you will visit the Kinderdijk Windmills, a unique collection from the 18th-century. Day 11: Start the day by exploring a canal cruise through the Oudegracht or Old Canal. View the urban castle of Oudaen and other centuries old mansions situated along the waterways. Day 12: After breakfast, it’s time to say farewell to your fellow guests and disembark the ship for your transfer to the airport, taking memories of all the beautiful destinations visited. *Total price: $4,476 per person, double occupancy, for a Standard Stateroom, and $5,676 per person, double occupancy, for a Panorama Balcony Suite. Optional Travel Protection (cancel for any reason) is $569 per person. Deposit of $400, plus Travel Protection if purchased, is due to secure the booking; final payment is due 4/30/24. Price includes roundtrip airfare from Colorado Springs, 11-night cruise, all transfers in Europe, shore excursion in each port, all meals and wine/beer, gratuities, all taxes and surcharges.

October 21-30, 2024

4,649 PER PERSON

Day 1: Depart the USA on your overnight flight to Venice, Italy. Day 2: Upon arrival in Venice, you’ll be met by a Mayflower Cruises & Tours representative who will escort you to the canal boat for your transfer to the hotel. Day 3: Explore the “Jewel of the Mediterranean”—Venice, Italy. During the included walking tour, your local guide will help you discover the exotic sights that surround you as you navigate the picturesque alleyways and cross bridges over the quaint canals filled with gondolas. See the soaring domes of St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doges Palace and Bridge of Sighs among other sites of this remarkable city built on water. Day 4: This morning, depart Venice and take a high-speed train to Florence. Walk in the footsteps of great rulers, artists and philosophers as you explore Florence, on the included walking tour. A visit to the famous Accademia Gallery is included where you’ll get an up-close view of Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David. This afternoon, continue on to Montecatini, home for the next three nights. Day 5: Enjoy an included excursion to Siena. Your local guide will walk with you through this beautiful Tuscan town and UNESCO World Heritage Site, as you discover the highlights of the city. Day 6: Depart on an included excursion to Pisa, best known for the bell tower of the cathedral, the “leaning Tower of Pisa”. Your local guide will explain the history of this beautiful town as you walk around the Piazza dei Miracoli and see the architecture and historic walls of this medieval city. Day 7: Leaving the resort town of Montecatini, return to Florence by coach and board a high-speed train for the journey to Rome. Upon arrival, enjoy a panoramic tour of the city and a guided visit to the Coliseum. Day 8: This morning, enjoy a guided visit to the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church and the smallest independent state in the world: Vatican City. During the guided visit of the Vatican Museums, you’ll walk through halls containing some of the most priceless art treasures in the world. The highlight of the visit may be the Sistine Chapel which houses the single most impressive work of art by Michelangelo. During the visit to St. Peter’s Basilica, experience the magnificence of Bernini, Michelangelo, and other great artists of the Roman Renaissance and Baroque periods. Day 9: Your last day in Rome is yours to enjoy as you wish. This evening, join your Tour Manager and fellow travelers for a farewell dinner at the hotel. Day 10: As you bid ‘Arrivederci’ to Italy you’ll be filled with memories of Renaissance art and architecture, rolling hills and vineyards, and all the glory of the Roman Empire. *Total price - $4649 per person, double occupancy; single supplement is $939. Deposit of $250 per person is needed to secure the booking; final payment due July 1. Price includes fully escorted tour, roundtrip airfare from Colorado Springs, 11 meals, all rail tickets and accommodations, all taxes and surcharges. Optional travel insurance is $299 per person.

Call for more information or look for details in upcoming issues of The BEACON!

QUALITY CRUISES AND TRAVEL

ITALY

SWITZERLAND, FRANCE & GERMANY

New Tours Coming in March 2024!

Kris Monroe, Master Cruise Counselor (719) 685-0544 QualityCruisesAndTravel@yahoo.com

Living Your Best Life After 50 in Colorado Springs

I N T HI S I S S U E

™

February 2024 | Volume 37 | Issue 2

Publisher Kevin K. VanGundy Editor in Chief Cloie Sandlin Managing Editor Rhonda Wray Communications Coordinator Amber Whisman Graphic Designers Michael L. Madsen B. Bigler

6 COVER STORY

Will You Be My Galentine?

Discover the strength and beauty of our female friendships and explore ways to celebrate your gal pals this month of love and beyond

Customer Service Manager Stacey Splude

Delivery Bill Souba LuAnn Weems Lyndsey Pitonzo

P.O. Box 50125 Colorado Springs, CO 80949 Phone: 719-900-7664 Website BeaconSeniorNews.com Email

ContactCS@BeaconSeniorNews.com BEACON Senior News celebrates age and empowers Colorado Springs seniors with inspiring local stories and timely coverage of senior issues— all presented in a fun, engaging way that helps older adults live happier, healthier lives. The BEACON is published monthly and is distributed at more than 250 locations throughout Colorado Springs and the surrounding communities. Deadline for advertising and announcements is the 10th of the month. Publication of advertising does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Columns are opinions of the writers, not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

What My Aunt Dorle Could’ve Taught Me About Love and Lovers My aunt’s secret love letters revealed a rich history of her love affairs, her openness with lovers and the wisdom she imparts about relationships, intimacy and a life well lived

10 Recipe: Smoky Chorizo & Chicken Pozole

If winter evenings have you stuck in a dinner rut, heat up the kitchen with a dish that everyone can look forward to

11 When Inheritance Tears Siblings Apart

What to do when a mother’s will reveals a startling change leaving siblings at odds

On the Cover

While it’s wonderful to celebrate romantic love on Valentine’s Day, let’s not overlook the strength and beauty of our female friends who stand by us.

Uncover the importance of locally sourced seeds tailored to our climate and growing conditions

Truffles: a Labor of Love Explore the history, science, cultivation secrets and value of truffles—a highly prized fungus hidden beneath the soil

25 Dating in the Digital Age

Discover ways to identify and avoid scammers, catfishers and trolls, while successfully navigating the complexities of tech-driven romance

23 Taxes with Trust

Senior Tax Advisory Group approaches seniors’ taxes and finances with a commitment to ensuring their retire ment is guided with expertise and care

Techy Tools to Track Your Heart Health

28 CALENDARS 28 Calendar 32 Clubs 33 Question of the Month 35 Support Groups 36 Fun After 50 Senior Center Activities

18 The Local Advantage in Seed Selection and Planting

AARP Tax-Aide offers free e-filing and preparation of state and federal income tax returns for seniors

Advertising Executives Jil Goebel Soni Brinsko

Circulation Supervisor Andi Falcone

Chewing gum could be the secret weapon to help you power through tedious tasks

20 Are Your Taxes Too Taxing?

Advertising Director Kevin K. VanGundy

Advertising Assistant Bethany Gill

14 Gum Power: 4 Ways Chewing Gum Gives Your Brain a Boost

Unlock the power of technology to monitor your heart health with these four cutting-edge tools

38 Fun & Games 40 Classifieds

Your FREE guide to aging well in Colorado Springs! RELEVANT Hundreds of local, state and national resources and hard-to-find phone numbers for clubs, government agencies, retirement planners, home contractors, physicians, home health providers, retirement communities, support groups and more!

RELIABLE A trusted resource for local seniors and those who assist them. We personally call each phone number every year to verify accuracy!

REPUTABLE BEACON Senior News has been the voice of Colorado Springs seniors for more than three decades. While you won’t find every senior service listed, we take great care to only include reputable companies and services.

Call today to request your FREE copies!

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Find more resources online! Explore the guide online at BeaconSeniorNews.com. You can easily search for keywords, link directly to advertiser websites and more!

Request copies in bulk for your business to hand out and we’ll deliver to you!

Snow: winter’s magic

lthough many seniors are snowbirds, and I love a warm getaway, I’m content to live in Colorado, where we’re treated to a twinkling carpet of frosted fluff from time to time. Perhaps there’s a bit of the school kid hoping for a snow day left in me. Does anyone remember the unusual fall blizzard in October 1997? I opened my front door and was greeted with a glacial glistening wall of white. Three feet fell. Like the Pevensie children mourning “always winter and never Christmas” in C. S. Lewis’ “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” I loathe blustery but never snowy. It’s the transformative aspect of snow that enchants me. It’s magical. For a day—here, it’s sometimes not even that—the drab scenery sports a showy coat of pristine crystalline drifts. Sometimes it glitters like crushed diamonds— artic bling. On silvery moonlit nights, the landscape is luminous, tinged cobalt. Occasionally we’re treated to powdered pines that surpass stores’ carefully flocked Christmas trees. And Pikes Peak looks even more stunning when it dons a cap of icy white. If it snowed overnight, I’m convinced you know upon waking without even peering out the window. Everything is hushed. Traffic sounds muffled, if not nonexistent. I wondered if that was just my own quirky take, but Google revealed, “the sound absorption rating for snow is in between 0.5 to 0.9, which means a few inches of new fallen snow provides an impressive amount of acoustic insulation.” Have you heard that the Eskimos have 50 words for snow? There is truth to that, if you consider all the languages in the Eskimo-Aleut family. The same base word has various suffixes attached for long and complicated words describing sleet, flurries, blizzards, etc.—and there’s not just 50, but hundreds of words! Wilson Bentley of Jericho, Vermont, pio-

neered photographing snowflakes, like the one shown here, in the 1800s. His photos show intricate, symmetrical six-sided crystals (and a few three-sided) in an astonishing array of delicate designs—no two the same, due to fluctuations in temperature, wind and humidity. Peering through an old microscope, teenaged Bentley tried sketching the frozen flakes to capture and share their elegant allure with others, but he couldn’t keep up before they melted. Bentley read about a camera with a microscope, and his parents spent their savings on it. It could magnify a tiny crystal from 64 to 3,600 times its actual size. Through trial and error—and working quickly—Bentley figured out what worked to produce his breathtaking photos. He made slideshows, wrote about snow and gave speeches to scholars. When he was 66, his book, “Snow Crystals,” was published— his gift to the world. “I found that snowflakes were masters of design,” Bentley said. “No one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted… just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any trace behind.” Looking at a sparkling expanse of sugary snow, it’s hard to comprehend that it’s comprised of countless tiny, exquisite crystals. My yard only shows evidence of snowmen, forts, snow angels, snowballs and sledding escapades when my granddaughter is in town, mittened and layered up. Non-skier that I am, my up-close-and-personal snow encounters these days are usually on my sidewalk, holding a shovel. I’d rather not drive in it. When there’s snow, I don’t go. But if there’s a dazzling dusting while I’m safely ensconced at home with a fuzzy blanket, warm beverage and fireplace blazing as I watch the feathery flakes fall, let it snow! Because it’s evanescent. These snowflakes— winter’s frosty fingerprints—are so fascinating, their loveliness so fleeting. ■

EDITOR'S COLUMN

LETTERS From Readers I love my BEACON Guide. I really do! It’s got so many nice tips and stories and such. - Beverly L. Grow Wild Just want you to know I enjoy your monthly column in the BEACON. I belong to the Front Range Herb Society. We maintain the herb garden at the historic McAllister House in downtown Colorado Springs. Your column always has pertinent information for our challenging growing season. - Mary H. From Tinseltown to Teeth & Crowns (January) Thanks for using my photo on the cover. I’d appreciate a correction (as the wrong name was credited). - Rhonda V. Rhonda: Consider it corrected! We apologize for the mix-up. Thank you for your photo of Dr. Golomb and for the fantastic story! Social Media 101 (January) After reading the “Social Media 101” article, I suggest it might be good to do a follow-up discussing at least two related issues that can arise with social media and its various apps. One is that apps have become an avenue for hacking, meaning even legitimate-looking apps can harbor risks. Two, people who use social media should consider what is to be done with their content when they die. I recently read that the required steps for this can be fairly complicated. Perhaps Adam Cochran could address these items if he has not done so before. - Ken B. Editor’s Column: A woof and a wish (December) Your story of Maggie melted my heart. Such a lovely and poignant story about a family dog. It brought back lots of memories of our own and echoes a saying I have etched in wood in my office: “It’s impossible to forget a dog who gave you so much to remember.” - Marti B.

We want to hear from you! Rhonda Wray, Managing Editor Rhonda@BeaconSeniorNews.com

ContactCS@BeaconSeniorNews.com @BeaconSeniorNewsCS

BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | EDITOR'S COLUMN | 5

Xxxxx Xxxxxx Byline

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■

Will you be my Cherish your gal pals this Valentine’s Day! By Libby Kinder

ven if you’ve never watched the TV series “Parks and Rec,” chances are you’ve heard of “Galentine’s Day.” This invented holiday struck a chord with women of various ages and stages. What’s not to love about ladies celebrating ladies? Whether you celebrate your gal pals with dinner and small gifts or not, they undoubtedly know you appreciate them—or there wouldn’t be a relationship. Why are these connections women nurture and negotiate throughout life so intrinsic to our well-being? The theme song from TV’s “Friends” says it simply and effectively: “I’ll be there for you, ’cause you’re there for me too.” The poem “A Reason, Season or Lifetime” deftly sums up the joys and challenges of friendship. “When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are!”

Galentine?

ings. Seeking and maintaining trust and reliability are paramount early on and continue throughout our lives. Thelma and Louise, Laverne and Shirley, Lucy and Ethel, Oprah and Gayle—what solidifies their bonds? Mutual acceptance of zaniness and shortcomings, loyalty, sharing joy and sadness, vulnerability, support and belonging. The same is true in our less famous but equally special friendships. “I can’t imagine not having women friends in my life,” said Sabra Wells, 79, an only child and widow of an Air Force officer. Military life meant relocating 21 times. She stressed how vital it’s been to keep a circle of women close. “The one thing women can count on is a community of women to help and support you,” said Wells. “I never would have gotten through the deaths of my mother, father and husband

without my friends.” Studies show social support following sudden bereavement reduces the severity of depression and PTSD. My freshman roommate, Jan Lysaght, and I were thick as thieves for one short year as we negotiated leaving home and finding our niche as college students. We told each other everything during this life-changing year of evolving from insecure teenagers into confident young women. I can’t imagine sharing that time with anyone else. Although we had minimal contact after that year, it didn’t diminish our history and inherent closeness. Sadly, Jan passed away a few years ago. I often wish I had been a better friend and kept in closer contact with her.

BONDING FOR A SEASON “Then people come into your life for a season, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn… They usually give you an unbelievable

RELATIONSHIPS FOR A REASON Typically, female friendships are more intimate and personal than male relationships. Even as little girls, we seek acceptance from our female friends. We need to share our thoughts and feel-

Left: Jill Jarvis and I were besties in high school in the mid-1960s and are still best friends all these years later. Right: Jill and me at our 50th high school reunion in 2018.

6 | COVER STORY | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But only for a there for the duration, other than family memseason.” bers. The girlfriends who stick with us accept Those who change jobs or retire know how us as we are, where we are. We can trust them difficult it can be to maintain former coworker to listen to us, make us laugh and engage in a relationships. balanced relationship. “I just don’t see my teaching friends anymore,” said retired teacher Patty, who preferred RECIPE FOR FRIENDSHIP “The only way to have a friend is to be one,” not to have her last name printed. “It’s not that Ralph Waldo Emerson astutely noted. Relationour friendship ended, it’s just that I don’t see ships require effort. them on a daily basis.” “Friendship must be nurtured and kindled. She also fell out of touch with the “many wonderful moms” she met when her children were in It doesn’t just pop from across the room like ‘Some Enchanted Evening,’” said Kathleen Hartsports. Kids grow up, and friendships move on. man, 80. “The blooming necessitates a caring Some seasonal friendships end because they are not healthy. Patty had a neighbor with whom relationship, and that can only come through loving contact and time.” she was close for 15 years. The reciprocal threads that bind relationships, “She was always a domineering person,” Patty according to these said. “I had overlooked women, are trust, commany things to maintain mon interests, humor, the friendship but finalsimilar values, respect, ly called it quits after commitment, honesty, many disagreements.” open communication Unfortunately, someand acceptance. times one-sided and The best friends are toxic relationships exist those with whom you between women. These can “just chat,” said links often die a quick MarySue Wildman, 79. and natural death. You But it goes deeper. can see it coming, and Sorority sisters and lifetime friends, from left: “You can share then it’s over. One of Janette Wellman, Mary Anne Gibson, Libby Kinder and Carol Sheppard. private information, my friendships ended discuss problems and abruptly after I made seek solutions,” she said, wisely adding, “and call a flippant remark that I instantly regretted. My on and be called on in emergencies.” “friend” disregarded my swift apology, and that Mutuality is also vital, which Jarvis described was that. as “a similar understanding of and respect for FRIENDSHIPS THAT LAST FOREVER boundaries, no power imbalances, both willing “Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lesto be present, vulnerable and open on more or sons… Your job is to accept the lesson, love the less the same level.” person and put what you have learned to use in Equal amounts of need, commitment and all other relationships and areas of your life…” interest are necessary, said Jarvis. I cherish the gift of a few long-term friend“And there has to be what I might call a ships. chemistry,” said Jarvis, “something in the Jill Jarvis, 74, and I became besties in grade personalities that draws them together, so that school. Who knew back then that we would still time spent together is interesting, fun, uplifting be close 65+ years later? Though we only see and satisfying.” each other once a year or so, we text often. FRIENDSHIP RX As teenagers, we regularly fought and made Relationships are on a par with food and exercise up. We spent endless hours on the phone discussing boys we liked and girls we didn’t. I moved for overall wellbeing, studies show. “Friendships are particularly important to away but always prioritized meeting up with her women like me who are living alone and are during visits home. older and single because it is evident that social Even now, we know each other’s stories contact is very important to maintain physical pretty deeply. We’ve been there for each other and mental health,” said Wildman. in times of sorrow and grief and celebrations, A sense of belonging wards against depressometimes more or less actively, but definitely sion, and a hug mitigates stress. Friendships even as needed. aid cognition and can help stave off dementia, as There are few people in life who have been

good conversation boosts brain health. The Mayo Clinic points to social ties as contributing to healthier blood pressure and body mass index. Another study looked at participants’ cell phone use and found that a strong social circle predicted happiness and wellness better than fitness tracker data like heart rate and exercise. You may even live longer. “Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other’s gold,” we sang in Girl Scouts. Let’s treasure our existing friendships and remain open to new gal pals in this month of love—and beyond. ■

Ways to celebrate your gal pals! 1. Like surprises? Open to the BEACON’s calendar (pages 28-31), close your eyes, point to an event and then attend together! 2. Play tourist in your own hometown. Colorado Springs has some amazing sights. Bet you haven’t seen them all! The Penrose House, the World Figure Skating Museum or hiking in Red Rocks Canyon are interesting options. 3. Go to high tea together. Glen Eyrie Castle offers one (and the castle is fun to explore) or break out your fancy cups, bake scones and DIY at one of your houses. 4. Volunteer together. The Pikes Peak Trolley Museum, any food bank, Silver Key and Christmas Unlimited are just a few places that can use help. 5. Create art together. Have a sip-andpaint at home or go to Painting with a Twist or AR Workshop. 6. Find out why everyone’s talking about pickleball. Book an indoor court if you don’t want to face the cold. 7. Go thrifting or antiquing together for some one-of-a-kind treasures. 8. Have a spa day, either with face masks and pedicures at home, or splurge and go to one of the spas around town. 9. Have a game or puzzle night at home or at your favorite coffee shop. 10. For animal lovers, walk your dogs together or go to Happy Cats Haven or the humane society and visit all the cute creatures.

Got another suggestion? Comment on

Facebook @BeaconSeniorNewsCS or email ContactCS@BeaconSeniorNews.com

BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | COVER STORY | 7

What my Aunt Dorle could’ve taught me about love and lovers— if only I’d asked

By David Winner

t 18, I left my conservative home in Charlottesville, Virginia, and went to Oberlin College in Ohio, where my housing lottery number landed me at Harkness Co-op, the scene of confusing sexual and romantic mores and practices: bisexuality always assumed, monogamy shunned, clothing optional. I was confused by all this but could hardly ask my parents for advice. Only decades later did I realize that the person I should have consulted was my great aunt Dorle, already in her mid 80s and peculiarly well-versed in complicated matters of love and sex. She’d been married to Uncle Dario until his death a few years before, and I knew only fragments of her earlier relationships. I know that a man at Columbia Journalism School named Mowgli after Kipling’s “The Jungle Book” accused her of being a “demi vierge”—half virgin, when she wouldn’t go all the way. But all my assumptions about her exploded when I was tasked with clearing out her Midtown Manhattan apartment after her death. First, I had searched in vain for letters from the famous people she knew. Nothing from Maria Callas or Leonard Bernstein, though Benny Goodman and Diana Ross were in her rolodex. Concealed under old newspapers inside a filing cabinet, I found hundreds of letters from a man named John Franklin Carter, who had been her lover for five years in the 1930s. “Dear Dorle, by one of those last-minute flukes which makes reason real, I am to be accompanied [by his wife] on my next trip to New York. I don’t think I’ve ever been so miserable in all my life.” Continuing to scour her apartment, I discovered four other sets of love letters from the same era of her life. She met Carter, an FDR ally and journalist; Albert Coates, a conductor; and Bill Barker, a British policeman who commanded much of Mandatory Palestine, aboard ships, but I don’t know how she landed in the same orbit as J. B. S. Haldane, the famous

British geneticist, and Georges Asfar, an antiquities dealer from Damascus responsible for the Damascus room in the Metropolitan Museum. No serial monogamist, Dorle once left Carter behind in America to meet Asfar in Damascus, hooking up with Barker along the way on a ship from Trieste, Italy to Haifa, Israel. And she was startlingly open with her lovers. Carter describes her journey to Damascus as “curing love with love,” and complains about “Mr. Asfar” and his “hashish cigarettes,” revealing that Dorle had told him her intentions. Later, Asfar complains that your “policeman in Palestine is quite assiduous in his correspondence,” and that “others too worry my heart,” as Dorle had also been transparent with him. He also admitted his own struggles with fidelity. “I confess to you, Dorle, that never before in my life have I enjoyed the pleasure of being faithful (even though it was relative faithfulness in the beginning)!” Perhaps the revelations in the letters should not have been such a surprise. One evening, about a decade before Dorle’s death, I asked her an innocent question involving Uncle Dario in the 1970s over cocktails, only to learn that she couldn’t answer because he’d left her for an old lover in Rome. “Go,” she’d told him, and “return when you can.” Perhaps she had learned from her own dramatic affairs that we can’t hope to keep our loved ones locked up with us if they desire to stray. We can only give them freedom and hope they return. Thus Dorle imparted, after her death, timeless wisdom about relationships and intimacy. About the desires and sexual norms of a generation that has been labeled as prudish, its behavior—especially women’s—shaped by restraint and taboo. Born into a wealthy Orthodox Jewish family, she was slated to be married off young and serve her husband. But the collapse of the family business, a mis-

managed bank on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, liberated her from all such expectations. The real lesson, though, that I think Dorle can provide us is the absence of absolutes. Despite all her love affairs earlier in life, despite her husband’s infidelity, Dorle had one of the warmest, most beautiful marriages that I have ever witnessed. Our lives can be long, if we’re lucky, and we can live them in different ways at different times. Leaving one man for another and hooking up with a third along the way in one period, steadfast and faithful in another, and a Penelope figure, calmly waiting for her husband to return, in a third. And in that gray area beyond absolutes, Dorle has also shown the existence among her generation of a mindset that might have lent itself well to candid conversations, an offering of valuable guidance and wisdom still valid today if only those of us in my own generation had known to ask. ■ David Winner is the author of a fiction/ non-fiction mashup, “Master Lovers,” and three novels, “Tyler’s Last,” “The Cannibal of Guadalajara,” and the Kirkus-starred “Enemy Combatant.” The story of Dorle and her lovers is detailed in “Master Lovers,” released in November 2023.

Is there anything that you don’t want people to see after you’re gone? What are you going to do to make sure that happens? Send questions and comments to ContactCS@ BeaconSeniorNews.com, and look for a more comprehensive article on what to do with your “stuff” in next month’s issue.

BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | 9

RECIPES

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Smoky Chorizo and Chicken Pozole

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Recipe courtesy of caciquefoods.com Servings: 6-8

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10 | RECIPES | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

150678

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2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2

tablespoons olive oil large white or yellow onion, finely chopped teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste (optional) package (9 ounces) Cacique Pork Chorizo teaspoons smoked paprika teaspoon dried Mexican oregano container (16 ounces) Cacique Medium Homestyle Salsa quart chicken stock pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed of excess fat and diced 1 can (25 ounces) white hominy, drained and rinsed 1 lime, cut into wedges 3/4 cup crumbled Cacique Ranchero Queso Fresco 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Directions: In large, heavy pot over medium heat, heat oil. Reserve 1/4 cup onion for garnish; add remaining onion to pot and season with salt. Saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; add pork chorizo and break it apart with spoon. Cook chorizo undisturbed until deeply browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes. Add smoked paprika and oregano; cook 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Pour in salsa and scrape up browned bits from bottom of pan. Bring to simmer 1-2 minutes, allowing it to thicken slightly, then add stock and bring to simmer. Stir in diced chicken and hominy. Decrease heat to medium and cook 8-10 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Taste and season with more salt, if necessary. Remove from heat. Serve bowls of pozole with reserved onion, lime wedges, crumbled queso fresco and chopped cilantro. ■

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CAREGIVER SUPPORT

When inheritance tears siblings apart Dear Laird: My mom died two months ago after being in assisted living for seven years. Initially, we were told that everything would be divided equally between us. I was shocked to learn that, without telling me or my brother, she changed her will to give me everything. My brother is furious. He accused me of influencing Mom’s decision to change the will. I told him I would split the assets, but he still refused to come to the funeral and won’t talk to me. I thought Mom’s passing would bring some relief. Now I feel lost. We are in Colorado Springs and my brother is on the Western Slope. Signed, Grieving and Grievances Dear Grieving: This is truly a sad situation. You are overwhelmed with grief from the loss of your mother. Your brother is also grieving but is angry at you for something you had no control over. Your mother has unwittingly hurt you both by failing to share her intentions for her estate. Feeling blindsided is a natural response on your part, while your brother’s resentment is an understandable reaction to this lack of transparency. At this point, clear and proactive communication is crucial. If you haven’t already, express to your brother in writing your surprise and reiterate your commitment to rectify the situation by splitting the assets. Clarify that, as the sole inheritor, you have the right to distribute the estate however you wish, and you wish for him to have his rightful share. Within the letter, recount your

mother’s final days and highlight the positive sentiments she expressed about your brother. Share the challenges you faced in caring for her and how fulfilling it was to provide that care.

RECOGNIZE THAT YOU DID YOUR BEST IN CARING FOR YOUR MOTHER, AND TAKE PRIDE IN THAT. It’s imperative for both of you to find solace individually and not let your brother’s emotions impede your grieving process. Recognize that you did your best in caring for your mother, and take pride in that. While your mother’s decision to exclude her son was hurtful to him and offered you no relief, it likely stemmed from her recognition and gratitude for your dedicated care, leading to an emotionally charged change in her estate plans. Your brother’s misplaced blame is likely a product of his own guilt for not assisting in caregiving and spending more time with your mother. While this is understandable, it is unfair for him to presume the worst of you. The strain on your relationship with your brother is a consequence of circumstances beyond your control. As time passes and you proceed to share the estate with him, he may see things differently. Although this event has left a lasting impact, there is an opportunity for both of you to contextualize it and work towards rebuilding your relationship. ■

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

4 techy tools to track your heart health By Sandra Gordon

s the nation’s number-one killer, heart disease should be on your radar. It’s a scary thought, but here’s the good news: “Eighty percent of heart disease is preventable by controlling risk factors, whether it’s medication or lifestyle changes,” said Jennifer H. Mieres, MD, co-author of “Heart Smart for Women.” “Early diagnosis is really the key to improving outcomes.” Plus, several new tools are available to give you a fighting chance.

AT-HOME BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING An estimated 70 percent of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure (greater than 130/80.) “Most people think blood pressure is the pressure in their arm, but in reality, it’s the pressure in every blood vessel in your body, including the pressure inside the chamber of the heart,” said cardiologist Dr. Anuj Shah. High blood pressure is diagnosed when blood pressure—the force of blood against your artery walls when your heart beats and between beats—measures 130/80 or higher in the doctor’s office. But some people’s blood pressure

naturally increases in the doctor’s office, a phenomenon known as white coat hypertension. To diagnose high blood pressure more accurately, a digital home blood pressure monitor can help. Self-monitoring over time can be more accurate than one blood pressure reading in the doctor’s office. Take your blood pressure at home at the same time daily. Mieres recommends taking at least two readings one minute apart each morning before medication and each evening before dinner. Keep a record and bring it to your doctor’s appointments. This type of homework can be a more accurate indicator of the need for blood pressure-lowering medication, or not. High blood pressure doesn’t usually have signs or symptoms, but it can lead to stroke, heart disease and kidney disease. Normal blood pressure of 120/80 or less is the goal.

EVENT MONITOR Atrial fibrillation (Afib), an irregular rhythm that causes one of the heart’s chambers to beat abnormally, is a common form of heart disease. Because of abnormal blood flow, a clot can develop, causing a stroke.

Wearable heart rate monitors

SOME PEOPLE’S BLOOD PRESSURE NATURALLY INCREASES IN THE DOCTOR’S OFFICE, A PHENOMENON KNOWN AS WHITE COAT HYPERTENSION. “Afib is a progressive illness that can cause scarring to your heart. The longer you have it, the more difficult it can be to get your heart into a normal rhythm,” Eubany said. If you have Afib, the sooner it’s diagnosed and treated, the better. An electrocardiogram (EKG), which provides a one-time picture of your heart rhythm, is the traditional way to diagnose Afib. The trouble is, you may not be in Afib the moment you get the EKG. Fortunately, an event monitor can give your doctor a more accurate assessment. An event monitor looks like a cell phone. Place it in your pocket, and every time you feel symptoms, such as a fluttering heart or lightheadedness, press the device to record your heart’s electrical rate and rhythm as you go about your daily activities. Wear it round the clock for up to three weeks, except when taking a shower.

WEARABLE HEART MONITOR How healthy is your heart? For a quick test, use a wearable heart rate monitor that fits your budget. (The one on your iPhone will do.) A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. If your heart rate is too high or low, see your doctor. “A wearable heart rate monitor can be accurate enough to help with initial detection and signal the need

for diagnostic tests,” said Jacqueline A. Eubany, MD, author of “Women and Heart Disease: The Real Story.”

CARDIAC CT A heart attack is a medical emergency. It occurs when plaque—a hard buildup of fat and cholesterol in arteries—breaks open and a blood clot forms that blocks blood flow to your heart. Symptoms can include pain in the center of your chest, in one or both arms and shortness of breath. A new imaging test, or a cardiac CT scan, can help doctors better predict your personal risk of heart attack before symptoms occur. Cardiac CT uses computers to create a 3D image of the whole heart to help doctors look at the small vessels that feed your heart to detect coronary artery disease, problems with the aorta, calcium buildup in heart arteries and problems with heart function. “Ask for a risk assessment for ischemic heart disease at your next checkup,” Dr. Mieres said. Your doctor will enter your blood pressure and cholesterol into an online risk assessment calculator. If your chance of having a heart attack is 10 percent or more in the next decade, a cardiac CT is recommended. On the other hand, if you have symptoms, such as tightness in your chest, you’ll need an immediate EKG to make sure you’re not having a heart attack. ■

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Heart disease is often subtle in women Know the signs, what to do and how to prevent it By Kimberly Blaker

eart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S., and accounts for 20% of female deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Coronary artery disease, also known as coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis, is the most common type of heart disease. More than 6% of women over the age of 19 are afflicted by it, which can lead to a heart attack or heart failure. Heart conditions for which women are at higher risk than men include cardiac syndrome X, angina (chest pain) and broken heart syndrome (stress-induced cardiomyopathy). Women can also be affected by several other heart conditions, including heart failure, heart valve disease, arrhythmia

(irregular heartbeat) and atrial fibrillation (Afib). Several risk factors for heart disease cannot be modified. Family history, race, gender, menopause and age all play a role. Still, many risk factors can be changed, according to the Cleveland Clinic. To reduce your risk for disease: • Quit smoking • Lower your total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides • Increase your HDL (good) cholesterol • Reduce high blood pressure • Keep diabetes under control • Maintain a healthy body weight • Eat heart-healthy foods • Exercise regularly • Reduce your stress An alcoholic drink a day may benefit your heart by increasing

your HDL cholesterol. But medical experts caution against more than one per day. Although some studies suggest alcohol may be beneficial in moderation, others have shown the opposite. Women can experience all the same heart attack symptoms as men. Often, however, women experience them differently. Most notably, women don’t always experience crushing chest pain. Instead, they may feel tightness or pressure in their chest. As a result, symptoms can go unnoticed. If the pain or discomfort goes away and then comes back or lasts for more than a few minutes, it could be a symptom. Other symptoms include: • Shortness of breath • Pain, discomfort, weakness or heaviness in either arm

• Discomfort in the neck, jaw, upper back, shoulders or stomach • Indigestion, nausea or vomiting • Cold sweats • Fatigue • Sleep disturbance • Dizziness or lightheadedness

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE HAVING A HEART ATTACK Call 911 and get to the hospital as quickly as possible. If you’re in a public place, a defibrillator may be available, which could save your life. Finally, take an aspirin, said Anthony Komaroff, MD. He recommends a standard dose of 325 mg that isn’t coated. “Chew it, and then swallow it with a glass of water,” said Komaroff, to quickly get it into your system. This can slow blood clotting and limit damage to your heart. ■

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1. Boosts blood flow Chewing gum can slightly increase blood flow to the brain by 25-40%. This boost in blood flow may lead to better cognitive performance, improved attention and increased alertness, if only for a short time. Continuous chewing also activates your hippocampus, the part of your brain that’s crucial to your memory and learning.

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2. Releases dopamine Studies suggest that gum chewing stimulates the release of dopamine, a brain chemical that plays a significant role in our ability to focus. It’s not just chewing—it’s a neurologically engaging process that enhances cognitive function. 3. Enhances multitasking Chewing gum may help you tackle your never-ending to-do list by keeping your jaw busy. Experts believe it acts as a motivator, making it easier to tackle tedious tasks. The involvement of dopamine may play a role in this effect. 4. Reduces stress Life can be stressful, and chewing

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4 simple ways chewing gum gives your brain a boost e’re all aware of how easily our minds tend to wander, making us less productive. It may be hard to believe, but chewing gum may be the key to boosting your brain power, suggests the Parkinson’s Resource Organization. Their findings indicate that chewing gum during the workday is linked to increased productivity and fewer cognitive problems. Here are four ways chewing gum may help you stay focused:

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Gum power

gum has been linked to lower cortisol levels in the brain (cortisol can make one feel anxious). While not all studies agree, some suggest that gum chewing relieves stress by reducing the sensory processing of external stressors and inhibiting stress-related information in the brain stress network. Chewing gum for a few minutes could be the secret weapon to help you power through tasks like sorting mail, writing a blog or creating graphics. Beyond its productivity perks, chewing gum offers additional health benefits. A study published in the journal “Appetite” discovered that chewing gum for at least 45 minutes or 15 minutes per hour for three hours resulted in reduced appetite, decreased cravings and an increased feeling of fullness. This suggests that regular gum chewing could assist in consuming fewer calories, potentially aiding in weight loss by preventing overeating. It’s good for your oral health, too! Chewing gum increases saliva flow, which helps wash away harmful sugars, food debris and decay-causing acids from your mouth. It can fight bad breath, prevent stains, reduce plaque and protect against cavities and tooth decay. Just make sure your gum is sugar-free. So, feel free to treat yourself to a stick or two of your favorite gum—I’m not watching or judging anyone. ■

DEAR PHARMACIST ™

Soni@BeaconSeniorNews.com

14 | HEALTH & WELLNESS | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

BY SUZY COHEN

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RUFF LIFE

The cheesiest “pet” ever

Community Dental Health

From Frito Lay to eBay: Reflecting on the poodle that got away

’m unsure why I wanted that Cheeto poodle so badly. I’m a dog lover, sure, but it’s the furry, panting, wagging-tail variety that captures my heart. Perhaps it was the novelty of owning a “rare” and “one-of-a-kind” collectible. Maybe it was the thrill of outbidding 326 others who had eyes on it. Or possibly it was because I lived 10 miles from the nearest grocery store, and I was really hungry. Whatever the reason, I lost the quarter-sized critter to someone willing to pay more than $2.75 (plus shipping and handling) for the little pooch. I had to draw the line somewhere. It’s been nearly 19 years since I discovered that “Frito Lay Cheeto Poodle Dog” on eBay. It was found in a bag of Cheetos bought at the Food Lion grocery story in Brunswick, Georgia, and was nearly consumed. The guy who bought the cheese-dusted snacks, however, discovered that one of the crunchy orange treats was a “really good sculpture of a poodle in miniature” seconds before it reached his mouth. I don’t know what the winning bidder shelled out for that Cheeto dog. Perhaps the seller fetched a handsome sum and moved to the Hamptons. But here’s some food for thought. In February 2017, a Cheeto that resembled Harambe, a 440-pound silverback gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo, sold on eBay for just under $100K. Harambe’s notoriety was, unfortunately, ill-fated. He was

shot by a zookeeper in 2016, after a 3-year-old child fell into the moat (and lived) at the Gorilla World enclosure. The video of the incident went viral on the internet.

A SEARCH ON EBAY FOUND CHEETOS SHAPED LIKE BIGFOOT ($1,000), A CAT ($100) AND A CARTOON MOUSE ($1). Curious if Cheeto animals were still a thing, I did a search on eBay. I didn’t see any cheesy canines. I did, however, find Cheetos shaped like Bigfoot ($1,000), a cat ($100) and a cartoon mouse ($1). There was a French bulldog, but it was found in a kernel of popcorn ($200). While I have never found a dog-shaped Cheeto, popcorn kernel or Dorito, I did see Snoopy in the abdominal X-ray of a puny-feeling pup years ago, when I worked at a veterinary clinic. It turns out that the world-famous beagle was actually a pair of gloves that Kaya, a yellow lab, had consumed. Speaking of celebrities, I saw Cheetos in the shapes of Tiger

THE RUFF LIFE BY MARTI BENSON

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Woods and Arnold Schwarzenegger up for sale. In line at the grocery store a few days ago, I silently totaled up the items in my cart. “Whew,” I sighed, wishing I could win the lottery. I glanced at the elfin-sized snack bags dangling nearby as my stomach rumbled. The splashy orange one grabbed my attention. Perhaps there was a carbohydrate companion—a Cheeto poodle of my very own, or even Taylor Swift in concert—in one of those little pouches. Maybe I would generate a selling frenzy by posting it on eBay. Or maybe I didn’t have breakfast or lunch and was really hungry. I tossed the Cheetos into my cart. ■

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SENIOR PERKS

Submitted by Lela Guzman My neighbor was working in his yard when he was startled by a late model car that came crashing through his hedge and ended up in his front lawn. He rushed to help an elderly lady driver out of the car and sat her down on a lawn chair. “You appear quite elderly to be driving,” he said, after everything had settled down. “Well, yes, I am,” she replied. “I’ll be 97 next month, and I am now old enough that I don’t even need a driver’s license anymore.” “You don’t need a driver’s license anymore?” he asked. “That’s right!” she said. “The last time I went to my doctor, he examined me and asked if I had a driver’s license. I told him, ‘Yes,’ and

handed it to him. He took scissors out of the drawer, cut the license into pieces, and threw them in the waste basket, saying, ‘You won’t need this anymore.’ So I thanked him and left!”

USE BOTH HANDS

Submitted by ML Madsen An elderly lady was standing at the railing on a cruise ship holding her hat tight so that it wouldn't blow away in the wind. A gentleman approached her and said, "Pardon me, madam. I don't intend to be forward, but did you know that your dress is blowing up in this high wind?" "Yes, I know," said the lady. "But I need both of my hands to hold onto this hat." "But madam, you must know

that you are not wearing any panties and your privates are exposed!" said the gentleman. The woman looked down, then back up at the man and replied, "Sir, anything you see down there is 75 years old. I just bought this hat yesterday!"

THE DEBATE

Submitted by Tom Price A first grade teacher asked her class if anyone knew about whales. One little girl raised her hand and said that in Sunday School, she learned that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. The teacher said, “It’s impossible for a whale to swallow a human because the throat is too small.” The little girl said, “But I learned it in Sunday school. It’s in the Bible.” In an irritated voice, the teacher said, “I don’t care. A whale can’t swallow a person.” The little girl said, “Well, when I get to heaven, I’ll find Jonah and ask him.” The teacher said, “What if he

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GOT TWO BUCKS?

Submitted by Benny Maxwell A bum, who obviously has seen more than his share of hard times, approaches a well-dressed gentleman on the street and says, “Hey, Buddy, can you spare two dollars?” The well-dressed gentleman responds, “You’re not going to spend it on liquor are you?” “No, sir, I don’t drink,” retorts the bum. “You are not going to throw it away in some crap game, are you?” asks the gentleman. “No way, I don’t gamble,” answers the bum. “You wouldn’t waste the money at a golf course for greens fees, would you?” asks the man. “Never,” says the bum, “I don’t play golf.” The man asks the bum if he would like to come home with him for a home-cooked meal. The bum

11 9 10

3 5

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Sand Creek Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1821 S Academy Blvd . Fountain Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230 S Main St . 8 East Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5550 Union Blvd . 2 Manitou Springs Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515 Manitou Ave . 9 Library 21C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1175 Chapel Hills Dr . 3 Penrose Library . .CLOS . . . ED . . UNTI . . . L . .APRI . . .L .1, . .2024 . 20 N Cascade Ave . 10 Rockrimmon Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . 832 Village Center Dr . 4 Old Colorado City Library . . . . . . . . 2418 W Pikes Peak Ave . 5 Cheyenne Mountain Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1785 S 8th St . Rampart Library District 11 6 Ruth Holley Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 685 N Murray Blvd . Woodland Park Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 E Midland Ave . 1

2024 IOR

went to hell?” The little girl quickly replied, “Then you ask him.”

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16 | LAUGHING MATTERS | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

LAUGHING MATTERS accepts eagerly. While they are heading for the man’s house, the bum’s curiosity gets the better of him. “Isn’t your wife going to be angry when she sees a guy like me at your table?” “Probably,” says the man, “but it will be worth it. I want her to see what happens to a guy who doesn’t drink, gamble or play golf.”

At a tire shop in Milwaukee: “Invite us to your next blowout.”

NOTHING WORKS

On a maternity room door: “Push, Push, Push.”

Submitted by Neil Norris My first job was working in an orange juice factory, but I got canned—couldn’t concentrate. Next I tried working in a muffler factory, but that was exhausting. After many years of trying to find steady work, I finally got a job as a historian until I realized there was no future in it. My last job was working at a coffee shop, but I had to quit because it was always the same old grind. You got any ideas? I’m open for suggestions. Maybe you have something that works, because I don’t.

THE MEDICATION

Submitted by Doreen Myers A distraught older lady phoned her doctor’s office and asked, “Is it true that the medication you prescribed has to be taken for the rest of my life?” “Yes, I’m afraid so,” the doctor told her. There was a moment of silence. Then she replied, “I’m wondering, then, just how serious is my condition? Because this prescription is marked ‘No refills.’”

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Submitted by Maria Fletcher Plumber: ”We repair what your husband fixed.” On the trucks of a plumbing company in northeast Pennsylvania: “Don’t sleep with a drip; call your plumber.”

Billboard on the side of the road: “Keep your eyes on the road and stop reading these signs.” On an electrician’s truck: “Let us remove your shorts.” In a non-smoking area: “If we see smoking, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action.”

At an optometrist’s office: “If you don’t see what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.” On a taxidermist’s window: “We really know our stuff.” On a butchers window: “Let me meat your needs.” At a car dealership: “The best way to get back on your feet—miss a car payment.” Outside a muffler shop: “No appointment necessary—we hear you coming.” Outside a hotel: “Help! We need inn-experienced people.” On a desk in a reception room: “We shoot every third salesman, and the second one just left.”

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In a veterinarian’s waiting room: “Be back in 5 minutes: Sit! Stay!”

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At the electric company: “We would be de-lighted if you send in your bill. However, if you don’t, you will be.”

BeaconSeniorNewsCS

On the door of a computer store: “Out for a quick byte.” In a restaurant window: “Don’t stand there and be hungry, come on in and get fed up.” In the front yard of a funeral home: “Drive carefully. We’ll wait.” In a counselor’s office: “Growing old is mandatory; growing wise is optional.” ■

START THE YEAR RIGHT! STAY POSITIVE AND SHINE BRIGHT WITH A HEALTHY MOUTH AND FRESH SMILE!

The New Year is an opportunity to start anew and pursue your healthy goals! 2024 GOALS:

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GROW WILD

Seeds of wisdom

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18 | HOME & GARDEN | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

ow that we’ve reached over 10 hours of daylight outside, the gardening season is officially upon us! As seed catalogs are released, it’s time to make a gardening plan. One strategy for gardening success is opting for plant starts that are ready for the soil. Unlike germinating seeds, this approach eliminates the need for space on windowsills or kitchen tables, allowing you to assess the health and vigor of the plant before purchasing it. Numerous local garden centers and farms sell a variety of plants for transplanting. However, this convenience often comes at a higher cost, making it an excellent option for small gardens or containers but less feasible for larger plots. For those looking to cultivate specific varieties, sizes and colors of plants, purchasing or swapping seeds is a more cost-effective alternative. Planting from seeds opens up a plethora of crop options.

SEED SURVIVAL CHECK If you have seeds from previous years, now is a great time to do a germination test to make sure you’re not planting dead seeds. This simple test only requires a paper towel and a container. Place 10-20 seeds on a towel, marking it with the variety you’re testing. Dampen the towel and roll it into a container that retains moisture but has an air gap at the top. A Parmesan cheese shaker works well for multiple tests, allowing the shaker top to be propped open for air exchange and to prevent molding. Place the container in a dark, warm spot—on top of the hot water heater or in a kitchen cabinet are good options—and monitor for moisture. Spritz with a water mister if the towel dries out. Around the anticipated germination date, usually within 7-10 days, unroll the paper towel and count the germinated seeds. You can roll

GROW WILD

WHEN IT COMES TO SEED SELECTION, THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS: HYBRID AND HEIRLOOM VARIETIES. it back up and give it an extra day or two to confirm all viable seeds have sprouted. If you have 85100% germination, plant the seeds freely. For a 50% germination rate, plant two seeds per hole. A 30% germination rate means three seeds in a hole and 10% or less germination means time to buy new seeds. Better to know now than after planting them! When it comes to seed selection, there are two options: hybrid and heirloom varieties. Hybrids came about by choosing the traits we like in crop varieties and then breeding them with other desirable traits, including resistance to diseases. However, due to their mixed genetics, saving hybrid seeds can be a gamble, as the offspring may express characteristics from two or three generations ago, which may not be what you desire in that crop. Heirloom seeds, on the other hand, offer stable genetics that have been passed down through generations. They are preferred for seed saving because their genetics remain consistent. The downside is that heirloom seeds can be susceptible to diseases, and they mature at varying rates. Additionally, they might require full ripeness during harvesting for full flavor. While these challenges can be managed by home gardeners, they present hurdles in large-scale production farming.

LOCALLY GROWN, LOCALLY SOWN The next important decision lies in where to buy seeds. Currently, there is a significant push for localized seeds. Researchers from Colorado State University have been conducting variety trials in collaboration with national seed companies and local seed producers. Local seeds, originating from crops adapted to our unique climate, hard water and heavy soils are gaining prominence. Unlike most seed companies that source from producers across the country, with popular regions being Washington, Oregon and Wisconsin—none of which share similar growing conditions with Colorado—local seeds offer a tailored solution. Additionally, opting for local seeds bolsters our local food supply by supporting producers in our area (contributing to economic sustainability) and by promoting crops that grow well in our region without extra water or fertilizer (contributing to environmental sustainability). Ongoing research is exploring aspects such as plant growth rates, first blossom set dates, harvest quantities, fruit size and overall plant vigor from both national and local seed suppliers. It’s promising to witness local seeds consistently outperforming nationally purchased seeds for the same crops. ■

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BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | HOME & GARDEN | 19

BEACON GUIDE FEATURE

Are your taxes Want more 2024 too taxing?

BEACON Guides

Tax-Aide volunteers assist with federal and state returns

to give away?

credit: www.freepik.com

WE DELIVER! Yes, please deliver: 25 50 75 Other _____ copies of the 2024 Colorado Springs BEACON Guide

company name �� contact name �� delivery address �� phone �� email ��

Send your request to:

ContactCS@BeaconSeniorNews.com 719-900-7664

o you feel overwhelmed by the DIY paperwork, the April 15 deadline and the expense of paying a tax preparer? Tax-Aide volunteers have been undergoing mandatory IRS training for the upcoming tax season since November, as they do each year. This month they begin taking appointments at various El Paso County locations. Read on to see if they’re a good fit for you.

Q: A:

What is the AARP Tax-Aide Program?

The AARP Tax-Aide Program offers free electronic filing and preparation of federal and state income tax returns, with an emphasis on helping seniors with low and moderate incomes. The program is staffed by IRS-certified volunteers. Every return is reviewed by two certified, trained preparers to ensure accuracy. Counselors are all certified at an advanced level. Not all preparers in similar programs have this level of training.

Q: A:

Who can use the program?

The program is funded by the AARP Foundation, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and

20 | BEACON GUIDE FEATURE | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

grants. Filers pay nothing themselves for this service, and their returns, both federal and state, are filed electronically at no charge. AARP membership is not required, and there are no age restrictions. Their patrons typically have an adjusted gross income of less than $35,000, but simple returns with higher incomes can also be done.

Q: A:

Why should I consider using Tax-Aide?

Are there tasks Tax-Aide can’t do?

People tell Tax-Aide they often pay $300 or more annually for someone to prepare their return. Tax-Aide charges nothing for their services. Some people may say they’re getting free help already, or they can do it themselves. It’s advised that you see a different trained certified preparer every four years. An incorrect return can be amended for up to three years after it was first due to be filed. This free program can help you see if your return is being done correctly. Compare it to previous years and make corrections, if any, while you still can.

BEACON GUIDE FEATURE

Tax-Aide’s expertise is limited to specific tasks for which volunteers are trained. They do not handle depreciation schedules, real estate rentals, businesses with payroll or perpetual inventories, and farms/ranches (unless it involves a simple, unimproved land lease). The service aims to assist as many people as possible, with typical returns taking 60 to 90 minutes in a face-to-face setting.

Q: A:

What might a typical tax return cover?

A typical tax return handled by Tax-Aide might include Social Security payments, IRAs, income from pensions and annuities (Form 1099-R), interest, dividends, capital gains and unemployment. Some returns may also have W-2 income, education credits, earned income credit or capital loss carryovers. It’s important to note that each tax return is unique, and the list provided is not comprehensive.

I’m on Social Security and usually don’t owe any income tax. Should I file anyway?

They encourage everyone to file, even if they don’t owe any income tax. This year, almost all full-year Colorado residents who file will qualify for an $800 TABOR refund. But you will need to file a return to get that refund. Also, filing a return reduces the incidence of identity theft since your return will already be on file, and the IRS will block any attempt to file a return with the same identifying information.

When are Tax-Aide volunteers available to look at my returns? Do I need an appointment?

Yes, appointments are required and slots fill up quickly. The hours at most Tax-Aide preparation sites are between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. See the sidebar for specific details. ■

Tax-Aide Locations Make an appointment early! Appointments typically fill up by the end of February.

Divine Redeemer Church

926 Farragut Ave. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays & Wednesdays February 5-April 15 For an appointment, call 719-633-5559

Westside Community Center

1628 W. Bijou St. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays & Thursdays February 5-April 15 For an appointment, call 719-749-6138

Envoy Church

2025 N. Murray Blvd. 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Mondays & Tuesdays February 5-April 15 For an appointment, call 719-358-1680

Library 21c

1175 Chapel Hills Drive 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays February 6- April 11 For an appointment, call 719-235-6757

Silver Key Senior Services

1655 S. Murray Blvd. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday & Thursday February 7-April 11 For an appointment, call 719-322-8329 Or visit cotaxaide.org/appt

Mt. Carmel Veterans Center

530 Communication Circle 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays February 6-April 10 For an appointment, call 719-772-7000

Cheyenne Mountain Library 1785 S. 8th St. For an appointment, call 719-5316333, x7001

Fountain Valley Senior Center

5725 Southmoor Drive, Fountain 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays February 6-April 11 For an appointment, call 719-508-2629 Or email aarptaxprepfountlib@gmail. com

Mountain View United Methodist Church 1101 Rampart Range Road Woodland Park 12:30-5 p.m. Wednesdays February 6-April 10 For an appointment, call 719-314-5686

BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACON GUIDE FEATURE | 21

Truffles:

a delectable labor of love

By Victor Block

Truffle-enhanced pasta. credit: Dreamstime.com

adine was excited. She scampered along a haphazard route, pausing now and then to sniff at the ground. Occasionally, she began to dig in the dirt, her breath quickening and eyes widening. But she was not permitted to complete the excavation she had begun. That task was finished by Vanessa, who distracted Nadine with a tasty treat and used a trowel to discover and uncover the object of their search. Nadine is a dog but she’s far from an ordinary canine. She is trained to find truffles, and I recently accompanied her and her handler, Vanessa Shea, on a hunt for those elusive and seemingly unattractive fungi, whose value far surpasses their outward appearance.

do, various truffle species grow wild, nestled at the base of trees within ponderosa pine forests. While these truffles serve as a food source for deer and squirrels, they are not the prized varieties cherished by humans. My experience began with an introduction to everything truffle delivered around a blazing fire pit by

Vanessa, her sister Olivia and their mother Patrice. My fellow adventurers and I benefitted from our hosts’ encyclopedic knowledge, which included historic facts, scientific tidbits and recipes for using these highly prized gastronomic gems. It was fascinating to discover that truffles were prized at the time of the Egyptian, Greek and Roman

TRUFFLE TREASURE HUNT During this expedition, we explored the truffle-rich grounds of Virginia Truffles, a family-owned enterprise in the mother state of U.S. presidents. Truffles, though, are cultivated in orchards across the nation, spanning from Maryland, Kentucky and Tennessee to Idaho, Oregon and California. In Colora-

empires. In contrast, the Medieval Catholic Church imposed a ban on the consumption of “the devil’s fruit.” They were also a favorite food of French Queen Catherine de Medici and King Louis XIV. Truffles grow several inches underground beneath tree branches, favoring oak and hazelnut trees. Modern truffling is said to have evolved when French farmers observed pigs uprooting the edible fungus, then trained them for the hunt. However, they often consumed their prize before the farmer could rescue it, so trackers began training dogs who happily work for canine treats. Upon learning that truffle farmers may patiently wait up to 10 years after planting their seedlings before experiencing their first harvest, and considering truffles are harvested within only a few months, I reached the conclusion that raising the subterranean fungus undeniably qualifies as a labor of love.

CULINARY PAIRINGS A basket of truffles. credit: SlowmotionG / Dreamstime.com

22 | TRAVEL | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

The bond between human and dog was unmistakable as I trailed

TRAVEL

THE EARTHY, PUNGENT AROMA FROM THE TUBERS THAT NADINE UNEARTHED WAS ALMOST OVERPOWERING FOR MY NOSTRILS OR TASTE BUDS. behind Nadine and Vanessa, swiftly navigating through the orchard with Vanessa repeating, “Where’s the truffle?” Our trek, which lasted a little over an hour, produced five black truffles. A post-hunt mini-buffet featured a delectable spread, including carrot soup, deviled eggs, pastrami and brie cheese, all enhanced with fresh truffle shavings or slices. The earthy, pungent aroma from the tubers that Nadine unearthed was

site tubers in the culinary world, reflecting the dedication to quality upheld by the farm. She also shared some of the creative ways truffles can add flavor to food, several of which were vividly demonstrated and savored during our snack. While some pairings, such as with eggs, soup, mashed potatoes and infusing sauces and dips, seem like a natural fit, the potential uses for truffles in tantalizing taste buds

Vanessa and her truffle-sniffing dog Nadine. Photo by Victor Block

Scrambled eggs with truffles. credit: Kabvisio / Dreamstime.com

Vanessa digging for a truffle. Photo by Victor Block.

almost overpowering for my nostrils or taste buds. Yet, the subtle hints of truffle in the food added a unique dimension which I found easy to enjoy but difficult to describe. During a post-snack visit to the on-site laboratory, Patrice explained the truffle cleaning process and described the truffle grading guidelines, a system officially recognized by the United Nations. Patrice mentioned that certain truffles sold to nearby white tablecloth restaurants command prices exceeding $120 per ounce. This revelation underscored the high value and demand for these exqui-

Newly unearthed truffles. credit: Sung Yee Tchao / Dreamstime.com

are virtually limitless. Charmed by the distinctive scent, lore and taste of this unassuming yet delicious flavor enhancer, I purchased truffle-infused honey, salt and pepper to bring home. I look forward to enjoying them, creating a sensory connection to the unique experience that will linger in my mind and on my tongue. Information about truffles and a list of growers throughout the United States is available at TruffleGrowers.com, the website of the North American Truffle Growers Association. ■

BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | TRAVEL | 23

FAITH

Are you looking for something meaningful to do? 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 Grandparent Program.

He Wins

Could you use a little extra money each month?

By Will Sanborn

• 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 $29,160 for a single person household, or under $39,440 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.

Nondenominational

Sundays at 10 a.m. • Pastor Dr. Chad Wight

Worship Service

Hymns • Contemporary Music • Bible Teaching Bible Study, Sundays 8:30-9:30am

3815 N. Academy Blvd.

heart-song-church.org • Adjacent to Harmony Bowl

“A Friendly, Welcoming Church” Pastor Bob Hollopeter Sunday Service: 10:30am & 6:30pm Wednesday Afternoon Prayer Meeting: 3:00pm 2728 Beacon Street Colorado Springs (719) 636-1515

RoswellCommunityChurchCS.com 24 | FAITH | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

ur son attended the University of Oklahoma and is a huge OU fan (Boomer Sooner!). But since he works an overnight shift and sleeps during the day, he doesn’t always get to watch OU football live. Instead, he records the game to watch the next morning. I could hear him in his room one time moaning, groaning and grumping through the start of a game against West Virginia, as the Mountaineers took an early 7-0 lead. I happened to know that the Sooners had ended up winning the game 59-20, but he didn’t know that, as he had just started the replay. Of course he would find that out eventually, but in the meantime, it was worry, worry, grief and grumbling. I thought about telling him, but I didn’t want to spoil his fun. Ever feel that way with how things are going in your life? You’ve got financial stress, inflation rising; COVID, RSV and the flu rearing their ugly old heads; anger, hatred and division all around; crime, wars and any number of other conflicts around the world ready to boil over; elected officials who behave like middle schoolers; problems at home and work; and on and on it goes. Who knows where it will all end? What’s that old Woody Allen quote? “More than any other time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter

hopelessness. The other, to total extinction. Let us pray we have the wisdom to choose correctly.” You know what? The Bible has already given us the end of the story, and God wins. Jesus told his followers something once that confirms that: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). That wasn’t spoken in some comfortable church setting with cushioned seats, nice music and lots of good friends around. Instead, it was the night before Jesus would be hung on a cross. It was the night before one of his disciples would betray him and most of the rest of his men would abandon him. The setting couldn’t have been more depressing, more terrifying. It was like the score was 500 to 0. But Jesus knew the end of the story. Three days later he would walk out of the tomb and bring to reality the promise that he had overcome the world. So when it all looks hopeless, how do you make it through? Humor writer Erma Bombeck gave one option: “When my kids were wild and unruly, I would use a nice, safe playpen. And when they were finished, I would climb back out.” Or you could put your trust in the one who said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” ■

TALKING DIGITAL

Dating in the digital age: Navigating love, scams and social media chaos H

aving been married for nearly 30 years, I can’t imagine what it would be like to date as a grown-up in the age of social media. But for this month’s column, I decided to research and report on the dynamics of dating and evolving relationships in a world where almost everyone you encounter likely has a social curriculum vitae published on Facebook or other social media. While I am far from an expert in online dating or using social media for romantic exploration, my approach will cater to folks like me— outsiders seeking to comprehend how this interconnected world functions.

TECH-DRIVEN ROMANCE The internet certainly opened the floodgates for new ways to interact and build relationships, but it was the smartphone that changed culture, traditions and expectations for using technology for flirting, courting and maintaining romantic relationships. Dating and matchmaking services have always leveraged the latest technology, but before smartphones, technology didn’t do much more than allow users to see video, read bios and possibly receive matches based on algorithms. Smartphones gave everyone the ability to instantly capture photos and videos, curate and maintain their online persona and engage with others in various forums. The creation of dating and matchmaking apps has empowered smartphone users in their quest for love, allowing them to invest as much time, money and dopamine as they desire in the pursuit of romance. However, not all dating apps are created equal, and they aren’t necessarily intended to be the same way. Rather than exploring all of the

credit: www.freepik.com

THERE ARE THREE TYPES OF PEOPLE THAT ALMOST EVERYONE WANTS TO AVOID IN ONLINE DATING: BONA FIDE JERKS, CATFISHERS AND SCAMMERS. popular apps, I feel it’s better to explore how apps and technology are commonly used in finding, dating and courting through the smartphone’s ability to manipulate time and space in social relationships. Perhaps the most important concept to understand about modern technology-assisted dating is that it’s culturally acceptable to date without intending to commit to anything more than showing up for a date. Interestingly, there are matchmaking and mingling platforms tailored for individuals who may not even have any intention of meeting in real life. The diversity in apps and platforms extends beyond various types of social interactions to include those catering to specific demographics, cultures and lifestyles. And each platform has users with different intentions and expectations.

SCAMS, TROLLS & JERKS Should you suddenly find yourself single and ready to mingle, it’s important to talk to peers and do some research before downloading Tinder, Hinge or Match and filling out your profile. Even platforms

targeted at those ready for longterm relationships have members who are looking to scam, score or manipulate others. Just like off-line socializing, there are jerks, egotists and abusers on all dating platforms. Each platform has some unofficial guidelines or practices that can help you steer clear of weirdos and bad guys. Anyone who has been active on a given platform for a few weeks will know what those red flags are and they will help you identify them. Essentially, there are three types of people that almost everyone wants to avoid in online dating: bona fide jerks, catfishers and scammers. “Bona fide jerks” isn’t a technical term, but it’s the most fitting description. These people may only be looking to “hook up,” seek attention in the forms of favors or praise, or simply lack appropriate communication and behavior skills. Catfishers are people who pre-

tend to be someone they’re not. Some catfishers have a motive, such as a scams or blackmail, while others are just trolls who get their kicks from psychologically messing with people. Scammers are the same wherever you go. There are numerous romance scams out there, but they all have the same motive—they want to trick you into sending them money. Romance scams often involve individuals portraying themselves in specific scenarios, such as women claiming to be single parents with sick children, or rich handsome men looking to escape from something they’ve been wrongly accused of, or someone playing the long game to scam a person out of as much as they can in gifts, money, trips or other favors. It seems strange that online dating would be so complicated, considering that it’s never been so easy to research a stranger online. Plus, technology should make it easier to find someone who is compatible, especially if geography isn’t a limiting factor in your search. However, humans are more complicated than machines. Even in real life, people tend to present themselves differently in social situations. The combination of social media, online dating apps and the challenges posed by texting (the least effective form of communication) creates a perfect storm of chaos in romantic relationships that isn’t for the faint of heart. But if you’re seeking your soulmate, the internet provides a comprehensive and financially feasible way for you to begin that search. ■

TALKING DIGITAL BY ADAM COCHRAN

Send your technology questions to Adam in care of the BEACON, or email him at AdamC@TalkingDigital.org BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | TALKING DIGITAL | 25

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT

Taxes with trust

Senior Tax Advisory handles all facets of finance By Rhonda Wray

y the time you’re a senior, taxes—and most aspects of your finances—look different. When you find a company that understands this, it’s a relief. “Seniors are the most trusted people out there,” said Darian Andreson, 50, co-owner of Senior Tax Advisory Group with his wife April, 49. “Their handshake is their word.” That respect goes both ways. Many entrust the Andresons with their earnings, their retirement and, of course, their taxes. Darian formed Senior Tax Advisory Group in 2001. “Now we prepare anywhere from 1,200-1,500 tax returns a year,” he said. Though taxes are the yearly “have to,” Senior Tax is a one-stop shop for seniors.

“We do financial planning as well,” said April, “and we have an estate attorney downstairs.” Their seasoned team specializes in establishing additional income streams for retirees when a fixed partial income isn’t enough. Whether dealing with tax considerations or navigating Social Security, Senior Tax will review your options. Clients have even asked for advice on downsizing, buying cars and starting businesses. “Taxes are the largest expense you will have in your lifetime,” said Darian.

was loving life—but in 2001, that all changed,” he said. “I didn’t know or lose anybody, but I received thank-you cards from clients for saving their money and protecting their assets and retirement.” April, a former ultrasound tech, came onboard when Darian was terrifically busy, offering HR and trouble-shooting support. “For a husband and wife to be able to work together like we do, high five!” Darian enthused, as he and April smacked palms.

BORN OF GRATITUDE

RETIRE ABUNDANTLY

Darian entered the insurance business in 1998. In 2001, the September 11 attacks set the course for the rest of his career. “I was working banker’s hours, I

The Andresons describe Senior Tax Advisory Group as “service-minded.” Donations of food and toys flood the office around Christmas, and they route it to charities,

including Woodmen Valley ACTS, started by a client. The couple delights in showing appreciation to those they serve. They even have a for-clients-only construction company that handles jobs like installing grab bars and minor repairs. “We love our clients, and they love us,” said Darian. “Retire Abundantly,” a new book about avoiding retirement mistakes by Darian Andreson and Kathy Larouere, is coming soon. “But it all stems from taxes,” said Darian. For more information, call Senior Tax Advisory Group at 719596-4844 or visit SpringsTax.com ■

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26 | ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

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CALENDAR February 1

An Overview of Estate Planning Strategies

February 2

Come to Library 21c to hear Nohemy Montes of Mont Wealth outline what an estate plan really means versus what you may think it does. Registration is required. 5:30-7 p.m. | 1175 Chapel Hills Drive | Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333

February 2-4

Home & Garden Show

February 1 & 15

Library Art Inspiration

Interested in art? Come explore painting and drawing techniques. Basic materials for creating are provided. (Adults only.) Feb. 1 is at the Rockrimmon Library, 832 Village Center Drive, and February 15 is at Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Blvd. Registration is required. 1-4 p.m. | Free | ppld.org | 719-5316333

February 1-18 “Dream Hou$e”

This play at the Ent Center follows Latinx sisters on an HGTVstyle show, selling their family home and hoping to capitalize on gentrification. One sister grapples with their ancestral past. The other fixates on their profit. Is cashing in always selling out? 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays | 5225 N. Nevada Ave. | $11-$46 | entcenterforthearts.org | 719255-8181

cook (and eat) pulled pork, brisket, burnt ends, ribs and chicken and leave with recipes. 4-8 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday | 5921 N. Academy Blvd. | $300, $350 per couple | 719bbq.regfox. com/roosters-q-master-competition -pitmaster-class | 719-465-1041

Furbaby Friday

Play, enjoy nature and make new canine and human friends at Garden of the Gods! Check in at the front of the Visitor & Nature Center to get a dog-friendly trail map and enjoy the off-leash dog area too. 9-10 a.m. | 1805 N. 30th St. | Free | gardenofgods.com | 719-634-6666

February 2 Fishing 101

Interested in reeling in the big one but don’t know where to begin? Come to Bear Creek Nature Center and learn the how-to from pros in Colorado, one of the top freshwater fishing destinations in the world. Please preregister online. 3-5 p.m. | 245 Bear Creek Road | $5 | elpasocountynaturecenters.com | 719-520-6977

Discover new trends and learn how to make your house your home at the Norris Penrose Event Center. Remodeling, landscaping and building experts share their expertise for your latest project. 2-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday | 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road | $3 | home showcenter.com | 800-374-6463

February 2-4 & 9-11 “Once”

Don’t miss this original dance show performed by dancers from UCCS at the Ent Center! Flipped fairy tale narratives offer inclusion and diversity as classic meets contemporary in the retelling. 7:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday | 5225 N. Nevada Ave. | $12 | entcenterforthearts.org | 719-2558181

February 3

PPLD Winter Adult Reading Program

Join the annual reading program for adults! Log 30 days of reading or activities through March 31 to earn prizes. Sign up online or at any Pikes Peak Library District location. Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333

February 2-3

Rooster Q’s Master Competition Cooking Class

Grill masters, up your game at Colorado BBQ Outfitters! Learn tips for meat trimming, seasoning, smokers and grills. There’s a Q & A too. You’ll

28 | CALENDAR | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Join wildlife biologist and author Joe LaFleur at the Monument Library for an audio-visual presentation on how to identify local raptors, hawks and owls by sight and sound. 11 a.m. | 1706 Lake Woodmoor Drive | Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333

February 3

Library Genealogy Resources (Virtual)

This class will provide an overview of the Pikes Peak Library District’s Special Collections databases, reference materials and additional services to help you take your research to the next level. Registration is required. 2-3:30 p.m. | Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333

February 3

Bert Kreischer

Comedian Kreischer brings his Tops Off World Tour to the World Arena, with anecdotes about family and fatherhood. He hosts podcasts “Bertcast” and “2 Bears 1 Cave,” stand-up specials and a YouTube cooking show, “Something’s Burning.” The Guardian named him a top U.S. stand-up. 7 p.m. | 3185 Venetucci Blvd. | $40$125 | broadmoorworldarena.com | 719-477-2100

Artistry in Strings

Run with Scissors

February 1-29

Birds of the Pikes Peak Region

February 3 & 4

February 2

Rock out and have a great time with this high-energy, five-piece local band at Stargazers! Their setlist is vast and deep, featuring classics and originals with an edge. Grizzly Gopher guests. 7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $15 | stargazerstheatre.com | 719-4762200

February 3

Fire Mitigation

Be a steward of our parks and join the Bear Creek Nature Center Restoration Crew for quarterly projects including fire mitigation, trail maintenance and invasive species removal, with varying levels of difficulty for each project. Email kyleetaylor2@elpasoco.com to join. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | 245 Bear Creek Road | Free | communityservices. elpasoco.com/nature-centers | 719-520-6387

The stirring sound of stringed instruments awaits at Chamber Orchestra of the Springs’ concerts. Saturday’s performance is held at Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave., at 7 p.m., and Sunday’s is at the Ent Center, 5225 N. Nevada Ave., at 2:30 p.m. $30 | chamberorchestraofthe springs.org | 719-633-3649

February 5

Free Law Clinic (Virtual)

Speak with an attorney for free over Zoom at the Fountain Library. Registration is required. 3:30-5 p.m. | 230 S. Main St. | Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333

February 6-8

Colorado Springs RV & Outdoor Show

You’ll ooh and ahh over these mini homes on wheels with amazing creature comforts at the Colorado Springs Event Center! See motorhomes, travel trailers, fifth wheels and more at year-end clearance prices. Friday is date night: two for $8. 12-7 p.m. Thursday, 10-7 p.m. Friday, 10-6 p.m. Saturday | 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. | $8 | coloradospringseventcenter. com | 719-637-3960

7, 3 p.m., is at the Penrose Library, 20 N. Cascade Ave. February 17, 2 p.m., is at the East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333

February 9

Curiosity Unlimited

There’s always something new to learn with these free UCCS professor lectures at the Ent Center. Lynnane George, Ph.D., senior instructor of engineering and applied sciences, will speak on “Innovative Robotics Research at UCCS: The Benefits to Society.” 10 a.m. | 5225 N. Nevada Ave. | Free | uccs.edu/curiosity | 719-470-1230

February 9 Monte Carlo Masquerade Gala

Celebrate Monte Carlo style for a sophisticated evening of glamour and fun at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel to support the Colorado Springs Chorale. Enjoy a delicious dinner, dancing to the Bill Emery Band, casino-style games and a silent auction. 6 p.m. | 1775 E. Cheyenne Mountain Blvd. | $90 | cschorale. org | 719-634-3737

February 7 & 17

The Search for Extraterrestrials

February 9-10

“The Princess Bride”

This favorite film is paired with the force of a full symphony orchestra performing the entire score liveto-picture! Experience it all at the Pikes Peak Center: fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, love, miracles—and magnificent music. 7:30 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $31-$91 | pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2121

February 9-11

Weekend to Remember

Invest in your marriage and God’s blueprint for it at The Broadmoor. Learn skills to weather difficult seasons through every age and stage of your lifelong adventure. 7 p.m. | 1 Lake Ave. | $175 | family life.com | 800-358-6329

February 10

Adult Digital Photography Class

Shutterbugs, glean tips and techniques at UCCS Downtown. You’ll cover nature/landscape, wildlife, using filters, sports, events and macro photography. Bring small items (candies, coins, jewelry, etc.) for the hands-on macro session. Please register online. 1-5 p.m. | 102 S Tejon St., Suite 105-a | $100 | 3peaksphoto.com | 719-260-6637

a role for an older loved one for which you feel ill-prepared. This free day course at the Arc is designed for non-professionals seeking to learn about serving as guardians, conservators or power of attorney for adults 18+. Email for details and to register. 10 N. Meade Ave. | Free | devon@ cgspro.net, julie.w.bovey@fiduciary connections.com

February 10

Schism—a Tool Tribute

New York City’s premier Tool tribute band is bringing its experimental metal/rock sound to Stargazers. 7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $20 | stargazerstheatre.com | 719-4762200

February 13 Beer & Burns

Enjoy great food and beer as you learn how to wood burn on live edge wood at Bear Creek Nature Center. You’ll take home an ornament. Prepaid registration is required. 5:30-7:30 p.m. | 245 Bear Creek Road | $25 | communityservices. elpasoco.com/nature-centers | 719-520-6387

February 10

Join the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society to explore how the existence of life in Earth’s extreme environments can help in the search for life on other planets. February

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CALENDAR February 13

Researching African American Ancestors (Virtual)

This class covers research strategies and how to use both traditional and unique resources to explore your family tree— a challenging yet rewarding process. Registration is required. 7 p.m. | Free | ppld.org | 719-531-6333

February 13-15 “Hairspray”

The Pikes Peak Center becomes 1960s Baltimore, where Tracy auditions for a local TV dance show and wins. She’s an overnight celebrity—but can that counteract body shaming and her support of racial integration? This musical’s got moves and moxie! 7:30 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $49-$109 | pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2121

February 14

9:30-11 a.m. | 315 Lake Ave. | Free | cmnccos.org

February 16-18

February 17

February 15-28

Meet local and national vendors ready to assist with your next home improvement project at the Colorado Springs Event Center. Ceiling to floor, outdoor and indoor, find what you need and more. Save thousands, win prizes, enter giveaways and score! 12-6 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday | 3960 Palmer Park Blvd. | Free | thespringshomeshow.com | 303867-1182

Garden in winter? Sure—it’s indoors! Bring your plants and new pots and head to Bear Creek Nature Center for an indoor gardening and repotting class. Learn the do’s and don’ts when transferring your green friends into their new dirt domicile. Registration is required. 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | 245 Bear Creek Road | $5 | communityservices. elpasoco.com/nature-centers | 719-520-6387

“Water by the Spoonful”

This Pulitzer Prize-winning play at the Fine Arts Center follows an Iraq war veteran as he bonds with fellow recovering addicts. Boundaries stretch across continents and cyberspace as birth families splinter and online families coalesce. Don’t miss this heartfelt meditation on redemption. Various times, Wednesday-Sunday | 30 West Dale St. | $26-$61 | fac. coloradocollege.edu | 719-634-5581

February 16 Grab a few friends and “Come Together” at Stargazers to see this Beatles tribute—it’s Paul McCartney’s favorite! Though the ’60s are a distant and fond memory, these classic songs still hold up and the Fab Four lives on. 7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $28 | stargazerstheatre.com | 719-4762200

Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance

Celebrate Valentine’s at The Inn at Garden Plaza! If you’re 55+, a delicious dinner and dancing with music provided by DJ James Stroman await, with photo opportunities galore. A king and queen will be crowned. Please call to RSVP. 4-6 p.m. | 2520 International Circle | Free | centurypa.com | 719-630-1155

February 14

Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating

It’s the sisterhood of shared sugar highs! Meet some new “galentines” to share this sweet holiday with at Broadmoor Community Church, as Cheyenne Mountain Newcomers Club furnishes pre-made cookies that need your decorating touch.

February 17

Intro to Indoor Gardening

February 17

Yesterday

February 16

Valentine’s Day Dinner & Dance

The Springs Home Show

Over 60 million people have seen this Irish dancing show with original music and storytelling—and now you can too, on its 25th anniversary tour stop at the Pikes Peak Center with new staging, costumes, choreography, lighting and effects. 7:30 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $40-$80 | pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2121

February 16-March 3 “She Loves Me”

What happens when two shop clerks working in a 1930s perfumery respond to a Lonely Hearts advertisement in the paper? First Company Theatre presents this beautifully crafted romantic comedy with heart and memorable music every weekend though March 3 at First United Methodist Church. 7 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays | 420 N. Nevada Ave. | $5-$18 | go.fumc-cs.org/shelovesme | 719-471-8522

30 | CALENDAR | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Pikes Peak Pastel Society

Come create using the vibrant color and painterly effect of soft pastels at the East Library! The Pikes Peak Pastel Society Membership drive is going on now. Please visit the website for information. 10:30 a.m. | 5550 N. Union Blvd. | $30 annual dues | pikespeak pastel.org | 719-338-5548

February 17-25 Cripple Creek Ice Festival

Ice, ice, baby! A chainsaw turns a frozen block into a horse, train, miner or…? Vote for your favorite and enjoy mouthwatering eats and photo opps galore in the gleaming glasslike environs—plus ice slides and mazes for the grandkids. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek | Free | visitcripplecreek.com | 719-270-1999

The Long Run

“Take It Easy” and enjoy Colorado’s tribute to the Eagles at Stargazers! For more than a decade, they’ve faithfully recreated the ’70s sound of America’s best-selling rock band in history. 7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $28 | stargazerstheatre.com | 719-476-2200

CALENDAR

February 17

Birds of Prey In-Store

If you are fascinated by feathered creatures, fly on over to Wild Birds Unlimited, where you can meet visiting birds and learn all about them! 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | 2450 Montebello Square Drive | Free | wbu.com | 719-596-1819

February 17

Jerry Seinfeld Live

You won’t want to miss Seinfeld mining the humor in the mundane at the Pikes Peak Center. His sitcom was the most successful comedy series in the history of television, and he currently hosts “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” 7 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $55$188 | pikespeakcenter.com | 719477-2121

February 18

Postmodern Jukebox

Dress in vintage attire and experience life in the past lane at the Pikes Peak Center! This live performance blends iconic pop hits with styles of

American popular music: ragtime, swing, big band, country, doo-wop and soul. 8-10 p.m. | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $25-$100 | pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2121

February 24

February 24 & 25 Beethoven

February 23

Dr. Fine Rhythm & Blues Revue The oldies are the goodies! Enjoy plenty of great ’50s, ’60s and ’70s soul music, including Motown, STAX, Muscle Shoals, Philadelphia and more at Stargazers! 7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $15 | stargazerstheatre.com | 719-4762200

February 24 Soapdish

Ain’t no party like a Soapdish party, so don’t miss out at Stargazers! Soapdish, voted Best Local Band, melds power pop and rock from the ’80s to today in a high-energy, feelgood performance. 7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $15 | stargazerstheatre.com | 719-4762200

Photographing Horses in Winter

Capture images of horses kicking up snow or roaming against the mountains at Music Meadows Ranch near Westcliffe. American Photo Treks instructors will help you capture dramatic images. Breakfast pastries and lunch are provided. 6 a.m.-3 p.m. | 6076 County Road 119, Westcliffe | $550 | meetup.com | 719-783-2222

February 24

February 23-25

Black Joy Gospel Experience

This free comedy show and gospel concert takes place at New Hope Baptist Church in Denver. Hosted by actor, radio personality and Christian comedian Shed G, the event will showcase local gospel artists, offering an uplifting blend of humor

Colorado Sportsman Expo

Outdoor enthusiasts, check out the latest innovative products and services at this three-day event at Norris Penrose Event Center. RV and camping, hunting, fishing—it’s all here. 3-7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday | 1045 Lower Gold Camp Road | $3-$5 | norrispenrose.com | 763-447-5962

and inspiration for attendees. 2-4 p.m. | 3957 E. 37th Ave., Denver | Free | thedrop303.org | 303-8933767

Take in the beauty of Beethoven’s imaginative piece inspired by nature, Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” when the Philharmonic performs at the Pikes Peak Center. Also featured is Mason Bates’ “Alternative Energy” and Yugo Kanno’s “Revive” for Koto and Shakuhachi. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday | 190 S. Cascade Ave. | $31-$91 | pikespeakcenter.com | 719-477-2121

February 29

The Elders

Get a dose of Celtic culture at Stargazers with this six-piece, Irish American folk rock band! They’ve released eight studio and four live albums and have toured throughout Ireland and Europe. 7 p.m. | 10 S. Parkside Drive | $22 | stargazerstheatre.com | 719-476-2200 ■

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AAAMedicaidConsulting.com BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | CALENDAR | 31

CLUBS 21st Century Toastmasters meets at Colorado Springs Fire Station 19. Fridays | 1 p.m. | 719-591-8045

Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship meets at Perkins, 3295 E. Platte Ave. Men and women are welcome to join. 2nd Saturday | 7:45 p.m. | 719-2293317

Austin Bluffs Sertoma, a community service organization, meets twice monthly for breakfast at Embassy Suites. 2nd & 4th Wednesdays | 7:30 a.m. | 719-460-5561 Austrian-American Enzian Club is a German-speaking culture club that meets at VFW Post #101. 2nd Wednesday | 2-4 p.m. | 719-4771018 Black Forest AARP meets for a 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 p.m. | black foresttrails.org Blazer Ski Club meets year round with organized ski, golf, hiking and other trips. Wednesdays | blazerskiclub.org Breakfast Club for Singles 50+ meets for breakfast at the Elks Lodge, 3400 N. Nevada Ave. Cost is $22 (cash or check). Must RSVP. 1st Saturday | 9 a.m. | 719-260-0651 | tbc50plus.org Bridge Players Duplicate plays daily at the Bridge Center. Monday-Friday at 12:30 p.m. | Tuesdays at 9 a.m. | Saturdays at 6 p.m. | 719-634-7250 Broadmoor Rotary Club meets for lunch with a speaker at DoubleTree by Hilton. Please RSVP. 1st & 3rd Thursdays | 12 p.m. | 740707-3022 | rotarybroadmoor.com Carnelian Coffee Book Club meets at Carnelian Coffee. 1st Sunday (2nd Sunday in July & September) | 1 p.m. | jpaisley@ ppld.org

credit: freepik.com

ACC Grass Roots 307 Cribbage meets at the Colorado Springs Elks Lodge. Wednesdays | 5:30 p.m. | 719-9633852

Cheyenne Mountain Newcomers Club, a social club for women, meets monthly, September through April, at Broadmoor Community Church. Annual dues are $40. 2nd Wednesday | 9 a.m. | cmnccos. org Colorado Springs Chess Club meets at Acacia Apartments ballroom. Tuesdays | 6 p.m. | cschess@juno. com Colorado Springs Coin Club meets at Fraternal Order of Eagles #143. 4th Tuesday | 6:30 p.m. | 719-632-4260 Colorado Springs Mineralogical Society meets at Colorado Springs Christian School. 3rd Thursday | 7-9 p.m. | csms1936. com Colorado Springs Numismatic Society meets at Gold Hill Police Station’s community room. 2nd Sunday | 2 p.m. | 719-632-4260 Colorado Springs Rotary Club meets for lunch with a speaker at the DoubleTree by Hilton. Visit website for Zoom link and to RSVP. Fridays | 12:15 p.m. | 719-338-3239 | csrotary.org Colorado Springs Scrabble Club meets at Panera Bread, 7344 N. Academy. Mondays | 5-8 p.m. | 719-332-5141 Colorado Springs Stamp Club meets at Vista Grande Baptist Church. 1st Tuesday | 7 p.m. | coloradospringsstampclub@gmail.com

32 | CLUBS | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

COS Miata Club, for Mazda Miata owners, meets for monthly drives around the Pikes Peak region. meetup.com/cosmiata | 719-6517739 DAV Knob Hill meets monthly and holds a bingo fundraiser to help local veterans at 6880 Palmer Park Blvd. 5:30 p.m. Sundays. Downtown Lions Club hosts a civic speaker and meets at MacKenzie’s Chop House, 128 S. Tejon St. 3rd Tuesday | 12:15-1:30 p.m. | 719338-7375 Evening Adult Fiction Book Club for daytime workers meets at Woodland Park Library. 1st Wednesday | 5 p.m. | 719-6879281

Gleneagle Sertoma, a community service organization, meets for lunch at Beast and Brews. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays | 11:30 a.m. | 719-331-1212 Gold Camp Victorian Society meets at Cripple Creek Heritage Center. 4th Saturday | 2 p.m. | info@gold campvictoriansociety.org Hi Country Newcomers is a social group for women. Activities include hiking, book discussions, games, lunches and tours. 2nd Monday | 10 a.m. | ldsjroberts@ icloud.com Hooked on Crochet meets at Cheyenne Mountain Library 1st Tuesday | 10 a.m. | 719-531-6333 ext. 7001 International Dance Club hosts weekly dances. Live bands, variety of styles, family friendly. Cost is $12. Saturdays | 7-10 p.m. | international danceclub.org | 719-633-0195

Falcon Adult Group meets at High Prairie Library. 1st Wednesday | 11 a.m. | 719-5316333 ext. 7003

Maxi’s Dance Group meets at Eagles Club #143 with music for ages 40+ and food and drinks for purchase. Cover is $5 for members. Thursdays | 6-9 p.m. | 719-660-1358

Falcon Garden Club meets at High Prairie Library. 3rd Saturday | 10 a.m. | falcon gardenclub.org

Open Book Club meets at Woodland Park Library. 3rd Saturday | 11 a.m. | 719-6879281

Florissant Bookworms meets monthly at Florissant Library. 2nd Wednesday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-748-3939

Pikes Peak Camera Club meets at Living Hope Church, 640 Manitou Blvd. 2nd Wednesday | 7 p.m. | 719-6342376 | pikespeakcameraclub.com

Falcon Wanderers Volkssport Club meets for regular walks. Membership dues are $10 per person and $16 per couple. 719-597-4307 | falconwanderers.org

Pikes Peak Genealogical Society meets virtually. 2nd Wednesday | 6 p.m. | ppgs.org

Friends at the Table Cooking Club meets at Florissant Library. 3rd Friday | 11:30 a.m. | 719-748-3939

Pikes Peak Over the Hill Gang meets monthly for dinner. This club is for active adults 50+ who enjoy skiing, biking, hiking, golfing, camping, etc. Call for time and location.

2nd Wednesday | ppothg.com | 719494-3269 Pikes Peak Pastel Society meets at Library 21c. Call for times. 719-338-5548 | pikespeakpastel.org Pikes Peak Posse of the Westerners meets for dinner and a program at the Masonic Center. Please RSVP. 2nd Monday | 6 p.m. | 719-473-0330 Pikes Peak Water Garden Society meets at Mountain View Church of Christ (April-October). 2nd Thursday | 7 p.m. | ppwgs.org Pikes Peak Whittlers are woodcarvers who meet at Redeemer Lutheran Church. 2nd Saturday | 9 a.m. | pikespeakwhittlers.com Rampart Range Blue Star Mothers meets at Falcon Police Department. 1st Sunday | 2 p.m. | 719-651-8038 Read Amok Book Club meets at Florissant Library. 2nd Monday | 11 a.m. | 719-7483939 Reader’s Circle Book Club meets at Woodland Park Library. 2nd Thursday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-6879281 Red Hat Ladies meets at Fountain Valley Senior Center. 1st & 3rd Fridays | 1 p.m. | 719-6002644 Rocky Mountain Mustangers Club, for Mustang owners/enthusiasts, meets monthly at Phil Long Ford Motor City. 3rd Saturday | 4:30 p.m. | mustangers.com Silicon Mountain Mac User Group meets virtually. Visit website for link. 2nd Monday | 6 p.m. | smmug.org Sno-Jets Ski & Adventure Club meets at Trinity Brewing. See website for ski trips, biking, hiking and other activities. 1st Thursday | 6:30 p.m. | snojets.org

Socrates Cafe meets weekly for discussion at the Monument Library. Tuesdays | 1-3 p.m. | 719-531-6333 Sons and Daughters of Italy meets for dinner and a meeting at VFW Post #101. 1st Tuesday | 5:30 p.m. | 719-210-2025 Sons of Norway meets at Viking Hall. 2nd Wednesday | 6:30 p.m. | 719-574-3717 Spanish Conversation Group meets in room F1 at East Library. Intermediate-advanced Spanish learners and native speakers discuss a variety of topics. Thursdays | 1:30-3 p.m. | 719-2445902 | kay@stricklan.net Veterans of Korean Service meets at BPOE Elks 304, 3400 N. Nevada Ave. Lunch and speaker are $13. Call to RSVP. 3rd Saturday | 11:30 a.m. | 719-2146121 Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1075, meets at Skills Academy, 1575 Garden of the Gods Road. Last Saturday | 9 a.m. | 719-2358162 | vva1075.org Walk with a Doc meets at the Santa Fe Trail parking lot, 1916 Baptist Road, for a short walk accommodating all ability levels. Tuesdays | 12:30 p.m. | walkwitha doc.org Women’s Army Corps Veterans Association meets at Sand Creek Police Station. 4th Saturday | 10 a.m. | peakwac vets@yahoo.com

Question

OF THE

Month

By Rhonda Wray

How did you meet? Teresa & Richard Ornelas “I tried this new thing called Match.com in 2002. After talking to Richard for six months, I mentioned going back home to Seguin, TX. He was from there too! We even worked at the same factory, but different shifts. When I described what I drove, he said, ‘I remember that truck. A girl with big hair drove it!’ I was that girl. We never knew each other then. Now we’ve been married almost 20 years.”

Tom & Vinnie Dinda “She saved my life! We happened to sit by each other at a church function, and I started choking. I grabbed her cup of milk and washed the food down. We got engaged on our first date. We were counseled to delay it, so we waited six months and then got married. That was 36 years ago.”

Roberta & Richard Millard “A friend’s matchmaking led to our eventual marriage when she introduced us at a volleyball game in Los Angeles 51 years ago.”

Woodland Park Book Club meets at Woodland Park Library. 1st Tuesday | 10:30 a.m. | 719-687-9281 Yarnia! Knitting & Crochet Club meets at Florissant Library. 2nd Thursday | 10 a.m. | 719-748-3939 ■

LIST YOUR CLUB FOR FREE! ContactCS@BeaconSeniorNews.com • 719-900-7664

Cynthia & David Margiotta “I was volunteering at a 4th of July fundraiser. I was supposed to sell beer, but I ended up selling tickets instead. He saw the woman selling beer, thinking it was me, and wasn’t interested. His version is that we were supposed to go on a blind date, but it was rainy and he didn’t want to go. But here we are, 36 married years later!”

BEACON BITS Look to Colorado VITA for tax help

Get help with preparing and filing your tax returns through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Tax Help. VITA offers no-cost tax preparation services for individuals who earned less than $60,000 in 2023, thanks to a team of IRS-certified volunteers and a partnership with PPLD. This tax help is by appointment only, February through April, at the East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd. Visit ppld.org or call 2-1-1 or 719-955-0742 for more information.

Colorado Springs Senior Center construction progress report

Progress continues on the Colorado Springs Senior Center renovation. After selecting a building contractor and establishing a budget, meetings were held to optimize costs, make minor design adjustments and identify efficiencies and to collect necessary paperwork and permits. Crews are currently removing asbestos and other hazardous materials from the buildings slated for demolition. While the project is a few months behind schedule, the completion timeline for the first quarter of 2025 remains intact, with a host of classes and events slated to resume then. Despite concerns about the perceived lack of action, the city remains committed to the senior center renovation and encourages the community to seek status reports by calling 719-955-3400 or emailing tlathrop@ppymca.org. In addition, a project update briefing will be held February 1, 1:30-2:30 p.m., at the Downtown YMCA, 207 N. Nevada Ave.

Colorado Springs Bridge Center dedication and celebration of life Longtime Colorado Springs Bridge Center member Bob Wingeard will be honored with a celebration of life on February 13 at 10:30 a.m.

The event will include a dedication of the newly remodeled building in Wingeard’s memory, as it was his idea to build the Center in the 1970s. Loved ones will share stories, followed by a light lunch. A unit game with upgraded master points will begin at 12:30 p.m. with a fee of $8 per player. The extra dollar will be donated to the Human Rights Campaign in memory of Wingeard. Please RSVP to Tami Hilton at 719-385-0690 or tamigeoff@ comcast.net. The Bridge Center is located at 901 North 17th St. For more details, call 719-634-7250 or visit ColoradoSpringsBridge.com.

Pioneers Museum 2024 Lecture Series

The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum presents the 2024 lecture series featuring a wide range of speakers offering diverse perspectives and unique insights on Pikes Peak regional history. There are seven remaining presentations: “Black Wings Family Day” (February 10), “Refugee Women Are Changemakers” by Nga Vuong Sandoval (March 9), “All This I Saw and Part of It I Was” by the Honorable John Suthers (April 13), “A History of the Sikh Community in Colorado” by Naureen Singh (May 11), “Mexican Restaurants Across Time and Place” by Dan Arreola (August 10), “Vision Beyond Sight” by Peggy Chong (September 14) and “On the Wings of Modernism: The United States Air Force Academy” by Robert Nausman (October 12). During the HVAC renovation and the temporary closure of the historic 1903 El Paso County Courthouse, the 2024 lectures will be hosted out in the community. To learn more about registration and locations, please visit cspm.org/ lectureseries.

Fly Fishing Film Tour (F3T) benefits community mental health

See nature’s beauty coupled with

34 | BEACON BITS | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

City completes improvement project in Red Rock Canyon Open Space The Red Rock Canyon Open Space 2023 improvement project, including rerouting damaged trail sections, reinforcing and expanding existing trails and reclamation work is now complete. Prior to its acquisition in 2003, much of the property was privately owned and slated for commercial development. Now this popular area will remain protected as a public open space. To commemorate this milestone, a limited-edition artistic poster of Red Rock Canyon (third in a series) is available for purchase at ShopCOS.org and may be picked up at the Parks administration building at 1401 Recreation Way. All proceeds benefit TOPS, a sales tax program dedicated to the protection and preservation of trails, open spaces and parks. For

more information on the improvements, visit ColoradoSprings. gov/RedRockProject. unbelievable catches on the big screen! Angler’s Covey hosts their annual showing of the F3T at Stargazers Theatre on February 3 at 6:30 p.m.—but this year it’s bigger and better. All proceeds benefit the Morning Hatch Foundation, which distributes the funds to key partners addressing mental health in the community: Project Healing Waters, Soul Survivor Outdoors, The Mayfly Project, Reeling in Serenity and Fishing the Good Fight. Enjoy food and drinks, a raffle, a live guide auction and more! Stargazers is located at 10 S. Parkside Drive. Tickets are $22 and are available online at stargazerstheatre. com or in person at Angler’s Covey, 295 S. 21st St. Call them for more information at 719-471-2984.

Read for prizes this winter

Join the Pikes Peak Library District’s annual Winter Adult Reading Program! Log 30 days of reading or

activities from February 1 through March 31 to earn prizes. Sign up online at ppld.org or at any PPLD location.

Springs Fire Department offers caution for space heater use

A recent house fire in the area was caused by a space heater being positioned too closely to combustible materials. The Colorado Springs Fire Department recommends the following tips to heat your home safely: 1. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn. 2. Place the heater on a solid, flat surface. 3. Make sure your heater has an automatic shut-off so it turns off if it tips over. 4. Plug space heaters directly into a wall. Never use an extension cord. 5. Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed. Stay cozy— yet safe—this winter! ■

SEND NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS TO ContactCS@BeaconSeniorNews.com

SUPPORT GROUPS Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is for individuals seeking sobriety to exchange experiences and encouragement. Find a meeting online. Various times | coloradospringsaa. org | 719-573-5020

Prison Support Group, for those with incarcerated loved ones, meets in the prayer room at Woodmen Valley Chapel. Thursdays | 1 p.m. | 602-762-0900 TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets for support (not a specific diet) at various locations most days of the week. 719-331-2815 | RJW88@yahoo.com | tops.org

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a 12-step meeting program, meets weekly at Benet Hill Monastery, 3190 Benet Lane. Wednesdays | 10 a.m. | 303-9028283 | wealreadyloveyou@gmail. com Alzheimer’s Association offers free caregiver support groups, in person and virtually. Call for current info. 719-266-8773 | alz.org/events Cancer Support Group meets at Woodmen Valley Chapel. Learn about the next meeting by calling or emailing. 719-331-2269 | annehoward199@ yahoo.com Community Reinforcement And Family Training (CRAFT) has support for families and friends of loved ones struggling with substance use. English, Spanish, virtual and in-person options are available at Springs Recovery Connection. 719-377-2161 | aneeley@srchope. org Dementia Support Group meets at Fountain Valley Senior Center. 3rd Wednesday | 2-3:30 p.m. | 719-600-2644 Depression & Bipolar Support meets at the Peel House at First Lutheran Church. Wednesdays | 12:30 p.m. | 719-4771515 | dbsacoloradosprings.org El Paso County Colorado Progressive Veterans helps veterans, active duty military and their families with VA health care and disability, homelessness, emergency needs, PTSD and mental health support. 719-488-8351 | epccpv.org | info@epccpv.org Emotions Anonymous, a program for unsolved emotional problems, meets at First Lutheran Church. Mondays | 6 p.m. | 719-235-1798

Gamblers Anonymous meets at the Dwelling Place, 508 N. Tejon St. See virtual meeting details at coloradoga.org. Mondays at 6 p.m. | Saturdays at 9 a.m. | 855-222-5542

Thursdays | 7 p.m. | 719-473-8477

Headway Neuro/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

PEARLS Connect is for people over 60 experiencing loneliness or feeling overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Call for location. 2nd Monday | 3-4:30 p.m. | 719-4592017

Hearing Loss Association of America meets virtually. hlaacoloradosprings.org Life Without Lupus Foundation, for those with an autoimmune disorder, meets quarterly, typically at East Library. 4th Thursday | 11:30 a.m. | 719-3808330 | lifewithoutlupus.life Multiple Sclerosis Alliance meets virtually and in-person. Call or visit website for schedule. 719-633-4603 | msasoco.org NAMI Connection Support Group, for those living with mental health conditions, meets virtually on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and in person at First United Methodist Church, room 235. Thursdays | 7 p.m. | 719-473-8477 NAMI Family Support Group, for family members of people living with mental health conditions, meets virtually on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and in person at First United Methodist Church, room 234.

Parkinson’s Support Group meets at Central United Methodist Church, 4373 Galley Road. 1st Saturday | 10 a.m. | 719-8840103 | co-parkinson.org

Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets August to May at Penrose Hospital Cancer Center’s conference room B and C. 3rd Thursday | 6-7:30 p.m. | 719596-3710 Voices of Grief offers 6- and 8-week support groups in Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. Call or email for details. 719-286-0612 | info@voicesofgrief center.org Widowed Persons Grief Support Group meets twice monthly at Silver Key, 1625 S. Murray Blvd. 2nd & 4th Fridays | 1-2 p.m. | 719955-3400 ■

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FUN AFTER 50 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Feb. 5-16 | Donations

EXERCISE

Blood Drive: You’re Someone’s Type!

1514 N. Hancock Ave., Colorado Springs To register for classes, call 719-955-3400 or visit

CSSeniorCenter.com

During the renovation, the Senior Center will continue programming at the Downtown YMCA, Westside Community Center and Southeast Armed Services YMCA.

DOWNTOWN YMCA Senior Center Project Update

Get the most up-to-date information on the Senior Center renovation. 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Feb. 1 | Free

Tunes on Tuesday: The Jerry Galloway Show

Enjoy hits from the greats like Sinatra, Dean Martin, Garth Brooks and more! 2-3 p.m. | Feb. 6 | Free

Heartfelt Knots: Valentine’s Heart Wall Hanging

Make a macramé project infused with love and creativity. 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Feb. 6 | $16

Medicare 101

Learn what you need to be ready for Medicare. 2-3 p.m. | Feb. 15 | Free

Proactive Living

Learn tips and tricks from local experts and discover local resources. 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Feb. 15 | Free

Flyswatter Volleyball

Stay seated and whack the balloon across the net! 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Feb. 27 | Free

Thursday Dances

Have fun dancing, and don’t forget to tip the band! 2-3:30 p.m. | Feb. 8 & 22

WESTSIDE Lots of Love Food Drive

Donate boxed and canned goods to Care and Share.

Please sign up for a time slot with the Senior Center to ensure we are prepared and well-equipped to accommodate all of our donors. 10 a.m.-2:15 p.m. | Feb. 14 | Free to save a life!

Baked With Love Bake Sale

Bring your sweet tooth and cash to choose some home-baked goodies!! Proceeds support CSSC’s scholarship fund. 10 a.m.-2:15 p.m. | Feb. 14

Bunco Potluck

Bring a dish, come for lunch and play Bunco! It’s an easy-to-learn social dice game. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Feb. 29 | $3

Nurse Chats: Boost Your Immune System

An RN will advise how to keep your immune system balanced. 1-2 p.m. | Feb. 21 | Free

Financial Self-Defense

Learn about the seven documents that protect you and your loved ones. 1-2:30 p.m. | Feb. 19 | Free

Healthy Cooking Class

Learn from the CSU Extension pros in this hands-on introductory nutrition and cooking class. 1-2:30 p.m. | Feb. 27 | $5

Patriotism in America: Past & Present Local author Becky Van Vleet tells of her father’s battles on the USS Denver in World War II. 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Feb. 27 | Free

Understanding Annuities

Learn about the various types of annuities, their uses and misuses. 10-11:30 a.m. | Feb. 27 | Free

SOUTHEAST ARMED FORCES YMCA Fitness Drumming

Drum away stress on stability balls and improve coordination, range of motion, rhythm and strength. 9:15-10:15 a.m. | Tuesdays |Jan. 9-Feb. 20 | $35

36 | FUN AFTER 50 | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

Class fee: $50 per month (unlimited), $60 for 10-class punch card, or $8 drop-in

Walking Club 66 Jefferson St., Monument To register for classes, call 719-464-6873 or visit

SilverKey.org/trilakes

ACTIVITIES Arts & Crafts

Socialize while you work on a weekly craft project. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Thursdays

MEALS Connections Café

Enjoy hot, nutritious meals and socialize with others. 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays

GAMES Bingo

Play for fun and prizes! Must RSVP. 12-1 p.m. | Feb. 21 | 719-330-0241 | sue@monumentalfitness.com

Bunco

Bring $3 and a snack to share. 1-3 p.m. | Feb.9

Chess Club

Stroll and socialize! 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday

Tai Chi Fusion

Reduce stress and promote serenity through gentle, flowing movements. 12-1 p.m. | Mondays

Gentle Yoga

A slow, gentle class focusing on strength and alignment. 10:15-11 a.m. | Tuesdays

Mind-ergize

Exercise your brain! 12-1 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays

Line Dancing

Choreographed dancing to a variety of music. 1:30 p.m. | Tuesdays

Mix It Up!

Low-impact aerobics, simple weight training and stretching. 8-9 a.m. | Wednesdays

Mind Matters

Gentle stretching, meditation and visualization work. 10-11 a.m. | Wednesdays

Chair Yoga

Beginners are welcome. 12 p.m. | Mondays

Seated poses improve circulation and reduce stress. 12-1 p.m. | Wednesdays

Spades

Zumba Gold

Let the bidding wars begin! 11 a.m. | Tuesdays

Pinochle

Cardio workout to Latin-inspired dances. 9-10 a.m. | Thursdays

A classic combination of bidding, melding and trick-taking in one card game. 12-4 p.m. | Tuesdays

Building Better Bones & Balance

Hand & Foot

Zumba

Mah jongg

Total Body Strength

Be the first to get rid of your cards “hand first,” then foot in this Canasta-style game. 1-4 p.m. | Tuesdays & Wednesdays Tile-based game with racks to hold players’ tiles (not mah jongg solitaire). 1-4 p.m. | Fridays

Safe for those with osteoporosis. 1:30 p.m. | Thursdays Cardio workout to Latin-inspired dances. 5:30 -6:30 p.m. Thursdays | 9-10 a.m. Saturdays Muscle conditioning for strength and endurance. 9-10 a.m. | Fridays

Card Making

Crochet & Knitting

9:30-11 a.m. | Thursdays

Card Making Gold

1 p.m. | 2nd & 4th Fridays 5745 Southmoor Dr., Colorado Springs To register for classes, call 719-600-2644 or visit

LEGAL Legal Assistance

1:30-2:30 p.m. | 2nd Wednesday

HEALTH

FVSCenter.org

SPECIAL EVENTS Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance

Barb Bragdon entertains. Tickets are available in the office. 5-8 p.m. | Feb. 9 | $12

Silly Hat Day

Top off your look with something goofy! All day | Feb. 13

Pammy K. Entertains at Lunch Live it up at lunch! 11:30 a.m. | Feb. 20 | Donations

Pioneer Museum Annex

Enjoy a fascinating glimpse of Colorado Springs history. Please reserve at the office. 10 a.m. | Feb. 21 | $10

Dinner on the Town

Enjoy dining at the Southgate Red Robin. Please reserve at the office.

ART

Dementia Support Group 2-3:30 p.m. | 3rd Wednesday

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

9:30-11 a.m. | Wednesdays

Chi Kung

10-11 a.m. | Fridays

Wii Games

10:30-12 p.m. | Fridays

Line Dancing

1-2 p.m. | Fridays

GAMES & LEISURE

Interpretive Dance

Movie Day

10:30-11:30 a.m. | Mondays

1 p.m. | 2nd Wednesday

Knitting/Crocheting

Bingo

WOODLAND PARK

SENIOR ORGANIZATION

321 N. Pine St., Woodland Park To register for classes, call 719-687-3877 or visit www.WoodlandParkSeniors.com

SPECIAL EVENTS Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center Trip

Play for fun and prizes! 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Thursdays

ARTS & CRAFTS Watercolor

Learn to paint with washes and layers. 1-4 p.m. | Feb. 19

Quilting Class

Enjoy creating and camaraderie! 1-3 p.m. | Feb. 23

Whodunit Mystery Luncheon

Tone muscle and pump up the heart in this low-impact exercise program. 9 a.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays

Who’s the suspect? What’s their alibi? 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Feb. 10 | $10 members, $20 non-members

Air Force Planetarium Trip

Learn the mysteries of the stars as you gaze into a domed replica of the night sky. Must attend with the group. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Feb. 15 | $5

EXERCISE Low-Impact Cardio

Chair Yoga

Seated yoga poses improve circulation and range of motion and reduce stress. 9 a.m. | Wednesdays

Line Dancing

Veterans Benefits Clinic

Choreographed moves to a variety of music. 10 a.m. | Wednesdays

ACTIVITIES

Gentle, flowing movements alleviate stress, improve balance and reduce fall risk. 9 a.m. | Fridays

If you’ve served (and we thank you), find out what help is available to you. 1-3 p.m. | Feb. 27 | Free

Quilters

1 p.m. | Tuesdays & Thursdays

Tap Dance

Fountain Tech Group

10:15 a.m. | Tuesdays

10 a.m. | Thursdays

Bring a project to work on and socialize. 9 a.m. | Mondays

Porcelain/Ceramics

Birthday Social

Dominos, Cribbage & Euchre

9:30 a.m.-12 p.m | Tuesdays

12 p.m.. | 4th Thursday

Quilters

Wii Games

8:30-11 a.m. | Wednesdays

10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Fridays

Oil Painting

Red Hat Society Meeting

9-11 a.m. | Wednesdays

1 p.m. | 1st & 3rd Fridays

Rock Painting

Ice Cream Social

12:30-1:30 p.m. | Wednesdays

1 p.m. | 3rd Friday

Harmonizers

Game Day

2-3:30 p.m. | Wednesdays

10 a.m.-4 p.m. | 1st Saturday

Woodcarving

Thrift Store Super Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | 1st Saturday

Bingo

Admire the art in 15 galleries, including the highly regarded Southwest collection and world-class exhibitions. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Feb. 2 | $5

1-2 p.m. | Mondays

8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Thursdays

Bring a project to work on and socialize. 10 a.m. | Wednesdays

Choose to play any of these domino games—or all three! 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Monday-Friday

Mah Jongg

This tile-based game was developed in China. 11 a.m. | Tuesdays

Bridge

Partner up for this trick-taking game. 12 p.m. | Tuesdays

Chair Tai Chi

Zumba

Cardio workout to Latin-inspired dances. 10 a.m. | Fridays

MEALS Silver Key Lunch

Make a reservation 24 hours in advance. 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Monday-Friday | $3.50

Potluck Lunch

Bring a dish to share. 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Feb. 13

Volunteer Appreciation Lunch

This lunch celebrates our faithful volunteers! 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Feb. 27 | $7 ■

BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | FUN AFTER 50 | 37

FUN & GAMES

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ACROSS

1. Cold mold 6. Jr.’s exam 10. Former name of Thailand

14. Committee head 15. Overdue 16. ___ way (not at all) 17. Fields of comedy 18. Bring home 19. Big Island bash 20. Orch. section 21. Domestic cat 23. Lofty nest 24. Silly 26. Sea eagles 27. Granular 29. Map within a map 31. Carefree outing 32. Thoughts 33. Actor McKellen 36. Informally 40. Old verb ending 41. Papal garment 42. Veinlike deposit 43. Influences 44. Leopardlike cat 46. Article of bedding 48. Jazzy Chick 49. Take ___ for the worse

50. Where Columbus

25. Greek goddess of

52. Painter Gerard ___

26. Actor Morales 27. Sticky stuff 28. ___ and rave 29. Objects of devotion 30. Hawaiian goose 32. Noncommittal words 33. Detaching 34. Designer Gucci 35. Russian no 37. Aftermath 38. Q.E.D. part 39. Peter Fonda title role 43. Thin and watery 44. Tic-tac-toe win 45. Orifice of a volcano 46. Dutch painter Jan 47. Pertaining to people 48. Benjamin 49. Prefix with dexterity 50. Delighted 51. “___ quam videri”

was born

Borch

55. Exec’s note 56. To boot 57. Sheer fabric 59. Boyfriend 60. Make it to the end 61. Bert’s buddy 62. Places to stay 63. “Song of the South” song syllables

64. Royal

DOWN

1. Plays a part 2. Ammo 3. Male head of a family 4. “Rocky ___” (1982) 5. King Minos, for one 6. First-year cadet 7. Swedish auto 8. Give it ___ 9. Hamilton’s bill 10. Still 11. Accustom 12. Diarist Nin 13. Pouting grimace 22. ___ day now... 23. You ___ right!

INDEPENDENT AND ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

victory

SUDOKU

(North Carolina’s motto) 53. Director Kazan 54. Film spool 56. Pie-mode link 58. Metal-bearing mineral

Turn to next spread for puzzle answers BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | FUN & GAMES | 39

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FUN & ACTIVITIES

HOME REPAIR

FLAT RATE COMPUTER REPAIR. 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.

NEW GROUPS FORMING to guide you through preserving YOUR LIFE STORY! Come share life, make friends, AND FINALLY WRITE YOUR Life Story! Economical! Facilitator: Sunny (Senior Life Assistant/Companion) 719-2710165

MORE THAN A HANDYMAN. Home Maintenance, Repairs, Yard Work, Organize. 15% Senior Discount (62+). Call Mike - a Senior and Veteran. 719-338-4279. Voice mail answered same day.

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.

HORSE/COW HAY $10.00 a bale. Pick up south of Franktown. Call 303470-0668 leave a message with any questions.

HOME REPAIR

MODEROW JUNK HAULING Veteran Owned Junk Hauling and Yard Clean Up. Call or Text: 719-432-7672

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WANTED WANTED 1950S-1960S LP’S, 78’s AND 45’s.

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Know about a Senior Discount? TellKnow us so about we cana share everyone! Seniorwith Discount? 719-900-7664 Tell us so Call: we can share with everyone! Email: ContactCS@BeaconSeniorNews .com Call: 719-900-7664 Email:confirm ContactCS@BeaconSeniorNews .com *Discounts subject to change without notice. Please discount prior to redeeming. *Discounts subject to change without notice. Please confirm discount prior to redeeming. BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | FEBRUARY 2024 | CLASSIFIEDS | 41

OPINION

Is there room left in heaven?

By Richard Strack

very, now and then, my twisted mind pops out this question: Is there room left in heaven? Now I’m going to be presumptuous here and think that despite the wrongs I’ve done in my life, I will have a decent chance to stand in front of the pearly gates when my time is up on earth. Yet, I have this fear of seeing a no vacancy sign hung on the gate when I get there. Hear me out for a second. The Population Reference Bureau reports that by 2050, 113 billion people will have lived and died. That isn’t counting the more than 7.5 billion people who are projected to be alive that year. That means there are 15 dead people to every one living person, which quite possibly means I’ll take the trip upstairs to a heaven overload. That’s not counting the number of dogs (because all dogs go to heaven), other animals, insects, flowers and trees. I mean, everything alive dies. Who’s to say that the first thing I see when I walk past the gate won’t be a Tyrannosaurus rex?

Now for those who believe it’s not about physical beings squeezing themselves on every inch of every cloud because we somehow vaporize into little bitty spirits, that causes another problem. Shouldn’t we see the faces of our loving departed when we arrive in paradise? Imagine you’re looking for your mother and a tiny voice stuck inside a microscopic dot whispers, “I’m over here!” I wonder where we get to hang out after we get through heaven’s admissions process, which I hope isn’t like wasting half a day at the motor vehicle agency. I envision a place called the Afterlife Mall—a string of storefronts that represent what we worshipped or didn’t worship while we were still living. There’s the Catholic Center, the Protestant Place, the Jewish Joint and the Muslim Mecca to name a few. Down the way is the All Souls Store and one with a marquee, Universal God. I think there will be an Atheist Information Desk in heaven, too. Pope John once admitted that even if you don’t believe in God, but you do his work in the world, you’ll

42 | OPINION | FEBRUARY 2024 | BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM

THE UNIVERSE HAS A FINITE LENGTH. SO WHY SHOULDN’T WE THINK HEAVEN MIGHT HAVE A BEGINNING AND AN END TOO? AFTER ALL, THE POPULATION UP THERE KEEPS GROWING, AND WITH EVERYONE HAVING ETERNAL LIFE, IT MUST GET PRETTY DARN CROWDED. still get to go there. But there’s no end to heaven, people say. It’s infinite, we think. Did anyone talk with an eyewitness who can confirm this? Science says the universe is over 26 billion years old. Its length has been calculated at 94 billion lightyears. If this is true, then the universe has a finite length. So why shouldn’t we think heaven might have a beginning and an end too? After all, the population up there keeps growing, and with everyone having eternal life, it must get pretty darn crowded. Imagine one day I go fishing at a lake in heaven. I see one small spot that’s open, like the only space left in a crowded parking lot. I jump in and now I’m elbow to elbow with Muhammad Ali on my left and Billy Graham on my right. Ali casts his line and it tangles with mine. He gives me a stern look and pushes me into Mr. Graham. “What the hell are you doing?” I shout to the former heavyweight champion. He stares at me and pulls on his line again. “My son, there’s no speaking that word here,” says Graham. “It’s okay to say, ‘For heaven’s sake,’ but please do not speak that other H word.” Frustrated, I cut off the end of my line and move on. There’s another opening at the far end of the lake between the Kennedy brothers but I’m going to pass. Never get between siblings, especially one who was a president and the other who wanted to be. Someone tells me Elvis Presley is having a concert just above the Milky Way. I ask what time and George Carlin says, “Time? There’s

no time in heaven. Whenever you get there, he’ll be singing his greatest hits.” “How did you get up here?” I ask him. “You never believed.” “Jesus greeted me at the Atheist Information Desk. Do I need to say more?” he replies. I decide to take a further look around. I come across a stage where John Wilkes Booth is performing in a play. “What’s with him being up here?” I ask a woman who looks like Princess Diana. “It’s that forgiveness thing,” she says. “Look over there to see who’s watching the murderer act in the play.” I look to where she’s pointing and I see Abraham Lincoln smiling and clapping his hands. Talk about the power of forgiveness! I see people everywhere in heaven, but I don’t like crowds. I find a tree where no one’s in sight and take a seat. “There are 12 gates and seven levels of heaven, my son,” says a booming voice behind me. I turn and look, but there’s nobody there. “There is plenty of room for everyone and that includes you.” “Is that you, God?” “Yes, my son.” Suddenly I feel the urge to go to the bathroom. I look across a cloud and see a line of people waiting to use the porta-potty. A guy walks by and hands me a diaper he pulled from a box he’s carrying. “They come in handy up here when the lines get too long,” he says. “By the way, you’d better hurry to the buffet line before the 18,000 cavemen get there. It’s steak night and they run out of food early.” ■

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